Friends of Maryport stabbing victim William Richardson are planning a lantern release in his honour.

Family and friends of the 34-year-old, who died yesterday after being attacked in the early hours of Tuesday, are invited to pay tribute to him at Maryport Promenade at 6pm on Tuesday.

The memorial event is being organised by friends Billy Collier, Craig Fisher, Ryan Steele, Stephen Rumney, Keith Anderson, Ricky Scholey, Wayne Cartwright, Martin Shaw and Gary Armstrong, who socialised with Mr Richardson.

Mr Fisher said the group was organising the event as a mark of respect.

He said: "He was our best mate. He was bubbly, crackers, game for a laugh. He was a good dad. Everybody's absolutely gutted.

"It's mental that we're not going to see him in the pub watching football or hear his banter.

"Maryport is a small town. When things like this happen it's like something you see in movies. You don't expect it in your own town.

"He's another Maryport legend gone."