A tribute to a "funny and kind" young man who died in a Birmingham knife attack lit up the sky in his hometown tonight.
The Plaza Cinema in Crosby shared a moving message in memory of Jacob Billington, who was just 23 when he died from knife wounds earlier this month. Family and friends mourning him have asked people to donate to the venue in his memory.
A man has since been charged with his murder and the attempted murder of seven others, including one of Jacob's friends, Michael Callaghan.
Words lit up in neon red replaced the usual advertisements for films to spell out exactly how special he was.
They read: "Remembering Jacob Billington.. Much loved son, brother and friend taken from us much too soon. Forever in our hearts."
The tribute then quoted the Latin phrase "Carpe Diem", meaning to seize the day.
It ended: "Seize the day, boys & girls.
"Make your lives extraordinary.
"XXXX."
Jacob, a drummer with a band called The Vedetts, was one of eight people who suffered knife wounds during a series of stabbings across Birmingham city centre.
He and Michael were among a group of six friends from Crosby who had met in Birmingham, where one of them is studying.
Heartfelt messages described the former Sacred Heart student, who went to university in Sheffield, as "one of the most nicest, kindest, funniest people you could ever meet" and "being funny and kind".
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On Monday evening, Jacob's family paid their own heartfelt tribute.
In a statement they said: “Jacob was the light of our life and we have been devastated by his loss.
“He was a funny, caring and wonderful person who was loved by every single person he met. He lit up every room with his boundless energy and witty humour and the loss of such a special person will be felt by all who knew him for years to come."
Jacob and Michael were among a group of six friends from Crosby who had met in Birmingham, where one of them is studying.
The tribute site is calling for anyone wishing to make a donation in Jacob's name to support The Plaza community cinema in Waterloo.
More than 200 donations totalling over £7,000 have already been made to the appeal, which you can support here.
Contributions continued to rise following Jacob's funeral at St Peter's and St Paul's Church in Crosby on Wednesday.
