Funeral of mum and three children killed in house fire

About 100 people gathered for the funeral of a mother and three of her children killed in a house fire.

Elisha Brabin, 36, and her children Leo, 16, Ellis, eight, and seven-year-old Prudence died after a blaze spread through their home in Bootle, Merseyside, in the early hours of 22 September.

Their coffins - white for Elisha, purple for Leo and Ellis and pink for Prudence - were each brought to the Thornton Garden of Rest by horse-drawn funeral carriages.

As the service took place inside, it was relayed to crowds who had gathered outside to pay their respects.

Their family said it had meant a "great deal to be together to remember them and to say the hardest goodbye" and that they were "missed every day".

Celebrant Tracey Rogers described Alisha as "the glue that held the family together in love".

She added: She was fiercely protective of her family, always championing fairness and fighting for the needs of her children and children around the world.

"She loved unconditionally and taught that love to her children, who all showed that in their own lives."

Celebrant Emily Ridgway read out a tribute from Leo's school, which described him as having "shown genuine consideration for those around him".

He was described as "part of our school family, valued by his peers, and loved by the staff who had the privilege of teaching and supporting him".

Ellis's school described him as having "always tried his best, even at the things he was not necessarily good at".

"He always gave 100% in everything he did," she said.

Prudence was described as having a "love for people that was rooted in her deep love for her family".

The family died after a lithium-ion battery of the type used in e-scooters spread through their home in Stone Square.

Elisha and the children were found in an upstairs room "showing no signs of life".

Their family said they were "deeply grateful to the emergency services for their efforts and to those individuals who have continued to support us throughout this really difficult time".

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.