HUNDREDS of people gathered in Walkden tonight to remember the four children who died in a house fire on Monday.

Members of the community congregated in St. Mary's Park, close to where the family lived in Jackson Street, to pay tributes to the youngsters.

Demi Pearson, aged 15, Brandon Pearson, aged eight, Lacie Pearson, aged seven and three-year-old Lia Pearson all died after the blaze in the early hours of Monday morning.

Their mother, Michelle, remains in a critical condition in hospital.

The crowds gathered at the park at 6pm before Reverend Alan Kennedy said a few words and recited the Lord's prayer. Brightly coloured balloons were then released into the sky in memory of the children.

People showed their support by laying flowers and candles next to the police cordon which is still in place at the end of Jackson Street, where the incident took place.

Meanwhile, trees within the park were transformed into memorials as mourners continued to arrive throughout the evening to lay tributes and pay their respects.

Vicky Tyrer, from the Friends of St Mary’s Park group, was one of those who attended.

She said: “It’s going to take a very long time for everyone to get over what has happened.

It’s hit the community very hard, but the response tonight has been fantastic.”

Walkden North councillor Sammie Bellamy helped to arrange the event along with members of the local community, and was even asked to sing beforehand.

She said: “It’s overwhelming. It shows that when you have things like this, the community pulls together and gives each other strength to get through it.

“I’m really proud of the turnout and how people conducted themselves. The amount of donations people made to the family tonight was unbelievable.”