Eight people, including six children, still remain in a critical condition

Tributes have poured in for three girls killed in a deadly knife attack at a dance-themed holiday club.

The headteacher of the school attended by one of the children, nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar, described her as a “true ray of sunshine”, while she also paid tribute to six year old Bebe King, a former pupil.

Six-year-old Bebe and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, were killed alongside Alice as a teenager with a knife targeted the holiday club in Southport.

A further seven people remain in a critical condition as Taylor Swift responded to the tragedy saying she is “completely in shock”. The dance class at the holiday club was based on the songs of Ms Swift, who is currently touring the UK.

Jinnie Payne, headteacher of Churchtown Primary School, said: “It is with great sadness that we heard the tragic news about the three children who died following yesterday’s atrocity, including Alice Da Silva Aguiar, a Year 4 pupil at Churchtown, and Bebe King, a former pupil,” Ms Payne said.

“Alice was the happiest of souls, a true ray of sunshine. She was known and loved by everyone in our school community of 700 children, a testament to her unique ability to connect with others.

“Bebe was a joyful girl, whose kindness radiated through the entire Churchtown community. During her time at the school, Bebe’s considerate nature and her love of learning shone through in everything that she did.”

Ms Swift said the “horror” of the attack was “washing over [me] continuously” and said she was “at a complete loss” how to convey her sympathies to the children’s families.

The family of Bebe King said: "No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as we try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe."

Meanwhile, the family of Alice Dasilva Aguiar said: "Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess, like we said before to you, you're always our princess and no one would change that. Love from Your Hero Daddy and Mummy."

Carina Aguiar, a relative of Alice, said on social media in her native Portugese: "Princess Alice....In this moment of such pain....It hurts the soul....it hurts the body....it hurts the mind....

"A lump in the throat....you were just an innocent child.....a happy girl....smiling....who had a bright life ahead of her....Which a despicable being took from you...without mercy or pity...without any reason....

"Look after your parents....Who suffer.....Who are desolate...destroyed....look after them....Fly high our little star....I love you."

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder following the incident in Hart Street, Southport, on Monday.

In a post on Instagram, Ms Swift wrote: “The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously and I’m just completely in shock. The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and first responders.

“These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”

Eight children were injured in the stabbings, alongside the three who died and two adults who remain in a critical condition after attempting to protect the youngsters. Police have said that, although the motive for the attack is unclear, it is not believed to be terror-related.

Some described the attack as “like a horror movie”. Others spoke of hearing “screaming” and seeing bleeding children running from the incident.

Emergency services said the scene was “horrific” and “chaotic” as they arrived at the club, which was aimed at primary school-aged children.

Police said the suspect, who was born in Cardiff, is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport, and a road in the area was cordoned off by detectives on Monday afternoon.

Window cleaner Joel Verite described locking eyes with a knifeman inside the dance studio in Southport before the alleged attacker “scurried off”.

“I run towards the door, the entrance and exit to the dance studio,” he told Sky News.

“There were two men in the gym where I used to go to … they’re pointing to the dance studio saying ‘he’s in there’.

“I open the door downstairs … there’s a guy at the bottom of the stairs with a full tracksuit, his hood up, with a knife.

“We’ve looked at each other and he’s scurried off to the side.”

UK home secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to make a statement on the attacks in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon, after earlier laying flowers at the police cordon.

Tributes pour in for girls killed by holiday club knife attacker as Taylor Swift 'at complete loss'