Hundreds of people today gathered in Glasgow at a candlelight vigil to show solidarity for the plight of Syria’s refugees.

Cities across the UK took part in similar events today in support of the refugees.

Despite gloomy skies and rain, the city’s George Square was filled with supporters carrying banners bearing the message “I welcome refugees” and candles lit in memory of refugees who have died.

The Glasgow Sees Syria event triggered similar vigils around the word after the idea for the vigil spread on social media. Organiser Alexis Stearns said it showed people were “desperate to make a stand”.

The crowd was addressed by Humza Yousaf, Scotland's Minister for Europe and International Development, who said the picture of Aylan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian refugee whose body was found on a Turkish beach, had “seared into the collective consciousness of the whole world”.

“I think history will look back at this moment, at all the hundreds of people here and they will see we stood on George Square on this day to say refugees are welcome here,” he said.

Amal Azzudin, one of the Glasgow Girls campaigners who brought the issue of poor treatment of asylum seekers into the spotlight ten years ago, urged politicians globally to take action on the refugee crisis.

Share article Glasgow City Chambers had displayed a banner with the message “refugees are welcome”. Newly-elected council leader Frank McAveety told the crowd: “Scotland is a diverse nation and Glasgow stands ready to respond in the best way possible.”