VIGILS will be held in Blackburn and Burnley this week to honour murdered West Yorkshire MP Jo Cox.

Residents are invited to gather outside Blackburn Town Hall at 5.30pm today to remember the mum-of-two and those who were killed and wounded in the Orlando shooting on Sunday, June 12.

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The Labour MP for Batley and Spen was shot and stabbed several times after a constituency meeting last Thursday.

Burnley MP Julie Cooper has asked residents to meet at the Peace Garden in Burnley tomorrow at 7pm.

Cllr Mohammed Khan, leader of Blackburn with Darwen council, will join residents at the town hall to remember the former MP and those who died at Pulse nightclub.

Calls have been made for MPs to have tougher security after the tragedy with East Lancashire representatives revealing they’ve had threats made against their life.

Mrs Cooper said: “On Thursday the country was shocked to hear of the brutal murder of Jo Cox MP for Batley and Spen.

“She had a great political future ahead of her because she was incredibly talented, hardworking and totally committed to serving her constituents and to working to make the world a fairer, more decent place.

“Even more than all of that I will remember the lovely, warm lady who was everyone’s friend.

“We in the Labour Group have lost a friend as well as a colleague and we will all miss her.”

Speaking after the attack last week Blackburn MP Kate Hollern said: “Jo was a good friend and a real shining star.

“It is so tragic, two little children are waking up without a mother.”

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “The murder of the tireless and talented Jo Cox MP, a mother of two children, while going about her public duties was a dark day in British politics and has the potential of putting off others from getting involved.”

Ribble Valley MP, Nigel Evans, said: “My heart goes out to Jo’s family and friends.

“She had a heart of gold and was respected across the house.”