FRIENDS of killed Labour MP Jo Cox have gathered on a Scottish beach  to celebrate what should have been her 42nd birthday today.

The Batley and Spen MP's photo was placed on the sand at Edinburgh's Portobello beach next to 300 candles arranged into the words "More In Common".

The Herald:

Ms Cox died in an incident last Thursday about a library in Birstall, West Yorkshire, where she holds her constituency surgeries.

It mirrored simultaneous events in London's Trafalgar Square - which was attended by her husband Brendan Cox - Washington DC, New York City, Melbourne, Brussels and Beirut.

A moment's silence was held at 4.25pm.

Amid grey clouds at a chilly Portobello Beach, friends explained why they were joining the #moreincommon event - a tribute to a phrase she used in her campaign against extremism.

The Herald:

Kim Wallace, a friend and former colleague of the Cox's said: "Jo was fearless in standing up for her beliefs and was a force for good, bringing people together.

"Jo was irreplaceable in many ways, but most especially to her children.

"As a mother, my heart breaks that they now have to grow up without her.

"When something awful happens there can be a feeling of uselessness, but I believe it's important not to just let it go, leaving everyone that bit more sad and much weaker.

"Today's event is about a show of love. I wanted people in Edinburgh to have a chance to voice that they believe in Jo's values, to show we care about what happened to her and that we care about each other."

Shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray lit a candle at the event, while Jamie Livingstone, head of Oxfam Scotland, made a speech on behalf of the organisation for which Ms Cox worked for eight years.

In London, people have gathered around the world to remember the life of Labour MP Jo Cox on what would have been her 42nd birthday.

Mr Cox and two young children joined friends, colleagues and high-profile campaigners in London, as others met in her home town of Batley in Yorkshire, and at international events.

The Herald:

Earlier on Wednesday Mr Cox and his children made their way to the memorial along the river Thames by barge.

Colourful bunting was strung from bow to stern, and a Union Jack flag streamed from the back of the black and white boat, named Stormvogel.

Sat close to his daughter, who was wearing a life jacket, Mr Cox looked ahead as the vessel passed under the Millennium footbridge heading west towards Westminster.

Towed closely behind was a small black-hulled boat with "Yorkshire Rose" painted on the bow in white lettering, filled with red and white roses which were also stuck to its mast.

Those on the stage were greeted by a sea of placards, many carrying the slogan #LoveLikeJo and #MoreInCommon, while others were simply colour portraits of the smiling MP.

Hosting the event, Ms Cox's friend and television presenter Mariella Frostrup said the pair bonded over mutual passions including "feminism and dry white wine".

Thomas Mair, 52, from Birstall, has appeared in court charged with murdering Mrs Cox, grevious bodily harm against Bernard Kenny, a passer by, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an offence and possession of a knife.