Christina Edkins funeral to be held in St Phillips Cathedral (From Halesowen News)

Christina Edkins funeral to be held in St Phillips Cathedral

11:58am Wednesday 20th March 2013 in News

THE funeral of murdered Halesowen schoolgirl Christina Edkins will be held on Friday at St Phillips Cathedral in Birmingham.

Buses across the region will stop as a mark of respect for the teenager who was stabbed to death on the number nine on Thursday, February 7.

A National Express spokesman said: “We will hold a one minute silence on all our vehicles across the West Midlands at 1.30pm on Friday, March 22 to pay our respects to Christina Edkins.

“All drivers are requested to pull over for one minute, if safe to do so, before continuing with their journey.”

The spokesman added: “We hope our customers will observe this silence and join us in sending our sympathies to her family."

Family, schoolfriends and local dignitaries will attend the funeral at 1.30pm as part of a series of events marking her life.

A candlelit vigil has been organised at the cathedral on Thursday night at 7.30pm where friends will gather to mark their respects to the 16-year-old.

A spokesman for the RIP Christina Edkins Facebook group, which has over 66,000 members, said: “We are holding a candlelit vigil for Christina where we will say a few words along with anyone else who wishes to say goodbye to Christina.

“Please assemble in 'pigeon park' outside the Cathedral for 7:30pm at which point we will be allowed into the Cathedral to light candles before going outside to hear a few words.”