UNITED AGAINST HATRED

AS the last dregs of rioters trailed away from the streets of Southport, the town's true heroes set about clearing up the chaos they had left behind.

- HOLLIE BONE, PAUL BYRNE and LUCY THORNTON

Just six hours after the violent protests had finished in the early hours of yesterday, workmen arrived to help rebuild and restore the streets to their former glory.

Bricklayers set about replacing walls torn down by yobs looking for missiles to throw. Window fitters began replacing smashed glass, and council workers resurfaced Tarmac melted by fires.

Even children pitched in with brooms while local businesses donated food and drinks to keep volunteers refreshed in the heat.

Hundreds of right-wing protestors had lined St Luke's Road following false reports on social media about the 17-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

It came after Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were killed when a knifeman burst into a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga session for primary school kids.

Eight other youngsters suffered stab wounds and five are in a critical condition.

Yesterday, children as young as the victims helped to clean up.

Sebastian Taylor, 10, who joined sister Evelyn, seven, and mum Gemma, said: "Last night was just helping'. We were sweeping up bricks, metal and bottles, and burned pieces of bins."

The Southport Islamic Society Mosque, which had been the focus of the fury, had suffered extensive damage on Tuesday evening.

But yesterday the community had returned it to normality. Resident Liam Reilly, 41, told the Mirror that workmen arrived at 5.30am. He said: "Local residents were out in numbers brushing up and removing debris.