Community vigil tribute for Rhys

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Thousands are expected to join Rhys Jones' family at a community vigil to mark the youngster's life on Sunday.

His mother Melanie, 41, father Stephen, 44, and older brother Owen, 17, will light a candle in his memory at Liverpool's Croxteth Country Park.

The event will pay tribute to the 11-year-old together with other gun victims and renew the appeal for information to catch the killer.

A schoolboy friend will give a reading in honour of Rhys.

Rhys died after he was shot in the neck while making his way home after playing football with his friends in the Croxteth area of the city.

Emotional support

The gunman, who was seen wearing a hooded top, made his escape on a BMX bicycle shortly after the shooting on 22 August.

Sunday's ceremony will also be attended by the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, Lord Mayor of the city Paul Clark and June Simm - a teacher at Fazakerley High School, where Rhys was due to start this month.

The vigil is aimed at remembering "all victims of gun crime, especially children". It is also hoped it will offer emotional support to the youngster's family.

Murder squad detectives have made a total of 16 arrests in connection with the inquiry but all the suspects have been released.

Football shirts

Eleven people have been bailed, with a further five released without charge. These five are now being treated as witnesses.

Acting Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly, who is leading the murder investigation, said on Saturday he was keen to speak to a person who called Crimestoppers and reported seeing a man on a mobile phone.

Rhys' funeral will be held on Thursday and his family have asked those attending to wear their team's football shirts or bright colours in his memory.

Thousands are expected to line the streets as his hearse draws past Everton FC's Goodison Park ground to Liverpool's Anglican cathedral.