Thousands of people have supported a last minute rally in central London where celebrity campaigners urged voters north of the border to stay part of the UK.

TV historian Dan Snow who organised the event was joined by activist Bob Geldof and comedians Eddie Izzard and Al Murray to give passionate speeches about the union, with just days to go until Scotland decides on independence.

The speakers were cheered along by crowds at a bursting Trafalgar Square which was awash with Union flags on Monday night.

Snow, whose referendum campaign Let's Stay Together has drawn endorsements from dozens of high profile figures, said the rally was to show Scotland "that England cares".

Snow said the rally did not have answers to the political or economic arguments of independence.

"But there is one question that I can answer," he said.

"That question is what do their fellow citizens in the rest of the UK feel?

"I'm looking at this crowd now and tens of thousands of people signing up to the Let's Stay Together campaign and I know I can answer that question.

"And that is the rest of the country hope they vote to renew their bonds of citizenship with us."

Geldof, who flew in from America for the rally, started his speech by stressing that all of the UK is disillusioned with Parliament and Scotland should stay to help resolve the issue.

"This argument needs to be had amongst us all. You can't just selfishly resolve it unto yourself by taking an easy opt out clause."

He described the UK as a marriage and "one of the greatest ideas invented for the modern age" that needs to "advance together".

In an emotional tribute to David Haines who was apparently murdered by IS fighters in Syria at the weekend, Geldof said it did not matter where in the UK he was from but that he went "from this island to help others".

"We are the closest of cousins, when one of our blood spills it all spills.

"There is such a thing as a big glorious No. No is not always a negative."

Izzard, who has been a strong supporter of the Let's Stay Together Campaign, added: "We would really love you to stay with us.

"You will make your own decisions it's totally up to you but if you vote No thank you then you will get more powers, so why not try it?

"Rather than separating from us forever."

Organisers from Let's Stay Together said around 5,000 people attended the rally at Trafalgar Square.

The campaign group says it aims to give a voice to those who are not allowed to take part in the vote on Thursday, but feel strongly about the potential break up of the UK.

Sir Mick Jagger, Sir Bruce Forsyth, Dame Judi Dench, Simon Cowell and Professor Stephen Hawking are among the famous names to sign the group's open letter to "voters of Scotland".

The list of more than 200, which includes Oscar and Grammy winners, Olympic medallists and academics, are joined by 82,000 online supporters from throughout Northern Ireland, Wales and England.

Ex-England captain David Beckham was the latest celebrity to give his support to the campaign today, urging Scots not to ditch a bond which was "the envy of the entire world".

He said was proud to have represented the UK as part of the team that secured the 2012 Olympics for London and then was "thrilled to watch us competing together against the world" at the Games.

He added: "What unites us is much greater than what divides us. Let's stay together."