Elle Edwards was killed after getting caught in the crossfire of a gangland war(Picture: PA)

The heartbroken family of Elle Edwards came together for Christmas Day to mark the first anniversary of her murder.

The beautician, 26, was shot dead outside a pub in the Wirral, Merseyside, last year after getting caught in the crossfire of a violent gangland feud.

She had been out for festive drinks with friends on Christmas Eve when gunman Connor Chapman opened fire with a sub-machine gun outside the Lighthouse Pub.

Her dad Tim explained that despite it being a highly emotional time, the family was determined to celebrate Christmas for the sake of Elle’s nephew, his grandson.

He said: ‘There have been a lot of mixed emotions as the day has got closer,.

‘There’s apprehension and sadness too because Elle won’t be here, but the family will all be together on Christmas Day.

Tim Edwards, father of Elle Edwards, outside Liverpool Crown Court after Connor Chapman was found guilty of her murder (Picture: PA)

‘I have my grandson who is four so I’m going to make a fuss of him – why should he miss out over Christmas? He doesn’t know what’s going on or what’s happened.

‘I want to try and keep it as normal as possible.

‘Obviously there will be a time when we sit and celebrate Elle and reflect on what’s happened and it’s going to be sad, but we have to keep going forward.’

Chapman, 23, was convicted of Elle’s murder and jailed for life with a minimum term of 48 years in July.

Connor Chapman gunned down six people during the attack, with Ella dying and the others being injured (Picture: Merseyside Police)

Two women and two men accused of assisting an offender are due before court on January 15 next year.

Elle’s death was one of a number of high profile shootings in Merseyside last year in which victims were inadvertently caught up in gang warfare.

Ashley Dale, 28, was shot in her home in Old Swan, Liverpool, on August 20.

Tim Edwards, father of Elle Edwards, with members of his family, including his mum, left, outside Liverpool Crown Court after Connor Chapman was found guilty of her murder (Picture: PA)

And Olivia Pratt-Korbell, nine, was shot at home by Thomas Cashman as he chased fellow drug dealer Joseph Nee in the Dovecot area of the city.

Tim added: ‘Christmases were always hectic, the same as everyone else, with last minute buys and me running over to town on Christmas Eve to get all the last minute presents.

‘But it was full of fun and laughter and it’s the one time of the year when you should all be together with your family and unfortunately there’s quite a few of us this year for whom that’s not going to happen.’

Recently, the Lighthouse pub announced it would open on Christmas Eve but close early around 11pm.

In a statement, owners Greene King said: ‘Elle’s death continues to resonate with all of us nearly a year on and our deepest condolences remain with her family and friends for their unimaginable loss.

‘After discussions between our pub team and the local community, we felt the right decision was for The Lighthouse to remain a place for everyone to be together as so many people were deeply affected by what happened.’

But Tim slammed the decision and claimed the pub’s owners have failed to engage with him or other members of Elle’s family.

Elle Edwards has been fondly remembered by her family on the first anniversary of her murder (Picture: PA)

He said: ‘I think it’s pure greed.

‘If I had my way that pub would be gone.’

On a more joyful note, Tim has been spending Christmas delivering hampers to families in need.

Earlier this year, he launched a GoFund me page called Elle’s Army to raise money to establish a foundation in her name.

He joined actor and comedian John May on his walk from Lands End to John O’ Groats to raise awareness of knife and gun crime in Merseyside.

Next year, he plans to complete a 250km ultramarathon across the Sahara Desert in Morocco.  

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Elle’s death was one of a number of high profile shootings in Merseyside in 2022.