A wave of lanterns was released over Preston docks as hundreds of people gathered to remember missing five-year-old April Jones.
Hundreds of members of the same car club postponed their usual meeting and together with family and friends paid tribute to the youngster.
Andrew Speariett, from Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston who is the founder and events manager for Car Cruise North West, said: “It’s such a tragic case and we wanted to do something to pay tribute to the little girl.”
The event - which saw around 300 people turn out - was also held to pay tribute to murdered football coach Michael Jones.
“It was only when another member of the car club realised both April and Michael share the same surname that we decided we should do something to remember them together,” added Mr Speariett.
The 45-year-old father of five said: “There has just been so much publicity about April.
“I have a grandson who is only two years old and if something was to happen like that to him, it doesn’t bear thinking about.”
Despite organisers battling with the wind the lanterns lit up the sky.
Mr Speariett said: “We got loads of lanterns up. It looked absolutely brilliant. It makes me feel proud.”
April Jones went missing near her home on the Bryn-y-Gog estate in the mid-Wales town of Machynlleth on October 1.
Former lifeguard Mark Bridger has appeared in court accused of abducting and murdering April, and of unlawfully disposing of and concealing her body with intent to pervert the course of justice.
Mike Jones, 25, from Tarleton, near Preston, was stabbed to death at 4.26am local time on Sunday, in New York.
He was found near 25 West 14th Street with severe stab wounds to his neck and torso. His ear had also been severed.
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