Hundreds pay tribute to Minnie Merriman in Arbroath

Hundreds of people have gathered in Arbroath to pay tribute to a nine-year-old girl who died after being found seriously injured in the Angus town earlier this month.

Minnie Merriman, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, died in hospital in Dundee following an incident at Elliot Industrial Estate on 3 August.

Minnie's father Christopher Rice is accused of murdering his daughter and is currently remanded in custody ahead of a trial.

A private ambulance carrying Minnie's body stopped in Arbroath's Victoria Park to allow the local community to pay their respects before the youngster was taken home to England.

The ambulance, which began its journey in Dundee, was given a bikers' escort from Monifieth and was led into the park by a piper.

Minnie's family members, including her mother Laurie, attended the event.

The family brought balloons, with Laurie Merriman shouting "Minnie, I love you - mummy's here" as they were released into the sky.

Local people laid flowers, poems and toys beside the private ambulance.

One of the organisers thanked the crowd on the family's behalf and asked them to think of Minnie "on her final journey home".

Kerry Tough, from Arbroath, who organised the event on behalf of Minnie's family, said Minnie "loved life and loved Scotland".

She said: "She was a little tomboy, she loved the bagpipes so we've got a piper today for Minnie.

"She was always travelling and doing good things, smiling and having fun, so hopefully today we can give her the send-off she deserves."

Kerry said she had been in almost daily contact with Minnie's family after initially "reaching out to each other."

She said: "It will be a friendship forever, it's not going to stop here.

"I've hugged them today, I've cried with them today.

"I've got a daughter myself, I couldn't imagine what they're going through."

Kerry said the local community had donated items including food and clothing to Minnie's family, which had been "unbelievable".

She said her town was a beautiful place where "we all come together when stuff happens".

She added: "Arbroath is a small place, and for them not being from here and the support they've had, it's just been crazy. It's just so sad."

Among those paying their respects at the event were Kieran Esson and Megan Davie.

Megan said: "It's just the fact it was a little girl, it's absolutely heartbreaking.

"It's absolutely amazing to see such a little town coming together for somebody none of us knew."

Kieran added: "I think it's important, so everyone can understand the importance of community.

"It's been a really good turnout today."

Minnie had been camping with relatives in the Angus town at the time of her death.

Over the last three weeks, flowers and cuddly toys have been laid at the spot where she was discovered.

Her family previously paid tribute to their "beloved, absolutely incredible, beautiful and brave Minnie Moo".

The town previously paid tribute to Minnie with a minute's silence before Arbroath's match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on 8 August.

More than 1,300 fans attended the game at Gayfield Park, which is just a mile from where Minnie was found injured.

Emergency services were called to the Elliot Industrial Estate in Arbroath shortly after midnight on 3 August following reports that a child had been found injured.

Minnie was taken to Ninewells Hospital along with four other people, but later died as a result of her injuries.