Jo Cox: Watch - Black Country MPs pay tribute at vigil for murdered friend

It was a sad and sombre occasion as dozens of mourners gathered at the cenotaph in Wolverhampton city centre to pay tribute to Mrs Cox, aged 41, who was shot and stabbed in the street as she headed to a surgery in Birstall on Thursday.

Flowers and candles were laid as a symbol of respect.

The bell on St Peter's Church chimed as a tearful Emma Reynolds MP paid tribute to her close friend.

Mrs Reynolds, Wolverhampton North East MP, said: "It is just so sad. We are all in deep shock. To lose her like that, I can't make sense of it."

Ian Austin, Dudley North MP, said: "It was very moving tribute. It shows how people have been profoundly affected right across the country by this tragic and senseless murder. I think the outpouring of grief shows the impact that she had in just 12 months as being a member of parliament."

Rob Marris, Wolverhampton South West MP, said: "Jo Cox was the real deal, kind compassionate, caring, selfless — in the true sense. It is a tragedy she has been murdered. She leaves behind two very young children and an incredible husband."

Pat McFadden, Wolverhampton South East MP, said: "Jo was such a lovely person. A great politician and she was really committed to her young children."

Elsewhere in the region, West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson, Labour's deputy leader, was also paying tribute.

There has been outpouring from right across the country for the late Labour MP, with Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn uniting to condemn the attack, which they branded as an 'attack on democracy.'

Thomas Mair, of Birstall, has been charged with murder, grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon.

Mrs Cox's husband Brendan called on people to 'fight against the hatred that killed her' in a statement issued after he death.

A warning has been issued to MPs to improve their own personal security following the attack. The vigil for Jo Cox was proceeded by a vigil for the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting.

Police are investigating possible links to right-wing extremism in their investigation.

West Yorkshire Police said they are working with the North East Counter Terrorism Unit as the probe into the killing of the mother-of-two continues.

Mrs Cox was attacked in the street outside her constituency surgery in Birstall, near Leeds in West Yorkshire, at lunchtime on Thursday.