A FUNERAL date has been announced for Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox who died after being stabbed and shot in Birstall on June 17.

The private service will take place on Friday, July 15. It will be attended by her immediate family only and followed by a function for invited guests. 

The family has said it recognises the significant public interest in the funeral and have arranged for the cortege to follow a route around Mrs Cox's constituency which will see it slow at two locations to allow members of the public to pay their respects.

From approximately 10.30am on Friday, the cortege will follow a route along the A638 in Heckmondwike towards a slow-down point on Westgate/Market Street.

The cortege will then continue towards Batley where shortly after there will be a further slow-down point on Market Place/Cambridge Street before it leaves Batley.

Following this the family request that they be allowed to grieve privately. In a statement they said: "We have been overwhelmed and touched by the love and support people have shown us since Jo's death. We are deeply grateful to all who have reached out to us. 

“Knowing that so many people share both our grief and our determination to take forward Jo’s legacy is a source of great strength at what otherwise feels like a very bleak time.

“Now, particularly for the children, we have decided that Jo's funeral will be a very small and private family affair. Anybody from the local community who would like to pay their respects is welcome to gather along the areas outlined as we make this last journey. Following this we would ask everyone to respect our privacy to enable us to grieve and rebuild as a family."

Mrs Cox left behind two children and husband, Brendan.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said there are expected to be minor disruptions to traffic as the funeral cortege passes and asks for the public’s patience and co-operation at this time.