MPs are returning to Westminster to pay tribute to Jo Cox who was killed as she prepared to hold a constituency surgery.

Commons Speaker John Bercow agreed to the recall of the House to allow members to commemorate a colleague described as "perfect" by her family. The Lords are also returning.

A single white rose will be laid on Mrs Cox's empty seat in the House of Commons when MPs gather.

MPs will be allowed to break with tradition to sit together, rather than dividing along party lines, in a gesture of solidarity proposed by Tory MP Jason McCartney.

The Leader of the Commons Chris Graying has indicated he is sympathetic to the idea, saying it is an occasion where "people should do what they feel comfortable doing".

However, Labour MPs are expected to sit together to comfort each other.

Following the emotional tributes, Labour and Conservative MPs will walk together in pairs to St Margaret's Church - often referred to as the "parish church of the Commons" - for a service of prayer and remembrance

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Flowers in Birstall, close to where Jo Cox was attacked

Parliament had been in recess to allow MPs to concentrate on campaigning in the final days running up to the European Union referendum on Thursday.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who requested the recall, said there would be further talks before the sitting.

The killing of the 41-year-old mother-of-two outside the public library in Birstall has prompted an out-pouring of public grief.

Mrs Cox would have celebrated her birthday on Wednesday, and services are be held around the world to mark the occasion.

A Facebook page, called More In Common: A Worldwide Celebration of Jo Cox, has been set up detailing the events.

A statement on the page says: "Jo believed that there is more that unites us than divides us, and she was killed for those beliefs. She believed in a love that is fierce, brave and humble. Her death has devastated a family, and attacked the ideals that we as a nation most cherish.

"But we will not be divided. We will rise up together to carry Jo's message forward. We will meet hate with love.

"On the day Jo would have been 42, we are asking everyone, everywhere to love like Jo loved."

A dozen events are being planned around the globe in places including New York, Sydney and Brussels.

In Mrs Cox's constituency, a celebration will be held from 4pm in Batley Market Square.

MPs have praised her passionate commitment to causes such as the plight of Syrian refugees and her ability to work with colleagues on all sides of the House.

Local people have paid tribute to her infectious enthusiasm and tireless efforts on behalf of her constituents.

A memorial fund, set-up on the website GoFundMe, to raise money for charities she supported has reached more than £800,000.

Prayers were said on Sunday for Mr Cox's husband and children at a service at St Peter's Church, less than half a mile from where she died.

The Rev Paul Knight told the congregation: "Her humanity was powerful and compelling and we would do well to recognise her as an amazing example - a 21st century Good Samaritan."

Mr Knight said: "Jo was someone who went out of her way to help others. I regret to say I didn't know what she was like as a girl but she grew into a fervent advocate for the poor and oppressed.

"And though she must have been angry at times about what she saw here and around the world - those places she visited and worked - she seemed to me, at least, to be one who could fight with a passion and a disarming smile."

Mr Knight also remembered the bravery of pensioner Bernard Kenny, 77, who remains in hospital after he was injured as he came to Mrs Cox's aid.

Mr Kenny is understood to be a former miner who was part of the rescue teams which helped at the Lofthouse Colliery disaster in 1973.

An online petition has been set up calling on the Government to award Mr Kenny the George Cross - the highest bravery honour that can be given to non-military personnel.

On Monday afternoon, it had been signed by more than 11,650 people.

The message, directed at Cabinet Office minister Matthew Hancock, says: "During the vicious, hellish attack on MP Jo Cox, an elderly gentleman by the name of Bernard Kenny tried to defend her."

It adds: "We believe that Bernard Kenny deserves the highest honour for bravery that this country can award. The Cabinet Office must make it so as quickly as possible, so that our nation's thoughts are on love and bravery rather than hate and fear."

In addition, a Go Fund Me page to raise money for three of Mrs Cox's favourite charities is near £1million. The page was set up on Friday morning and received an unprecedented number of hits to make donations. The charities are: The Royal Voluntary Service, HOPE not hate and The White Helmets.

Mr Kenny's actions were remembered at church services on Sunday when congregations prayed for his recovery.

Parishioner Leif Wickes led prayers at St Peter's Church in Birstall, close to where the pensioner lives with his wife, Doreen.

Mr Wickes said that Mr Kenny "despite his 77 years intervened in the attack to try and save Jo's life and was stabbed and badly injured".

He said: "We give thanks for his courage and his example and pray for his speedy recovery."

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Mrs Cox was planning to launch a report in Parliament on the dangers of nationalist radicals, according to reports.

The Labour MP had also recorded a video about preventing Islamophobia, according to The Times.

The report by Tell Mama, an organisation that monitors anti-Muslim incidents, warns of rising aggression by far-right nationalists and an increase in Islamophobia in the last year.

Mrs Cox was known for her commitment to causes such as the plight of Syrian refugees.

The Times reports that on June 29 she planned to launch the report and play the video.

It shows her saying she had spoken to Tell Mama about preventing Islamophobia and discussing the problem that in her constituency "many of our young women don't feel safe when they're out on the street".

The director of Tell Mama, Fiyaz Mughal, told the newspaper there were significant clusters of far-right activity in Yorkshire and that the charity's annual report would detail an increase in anti-Muslim activity in the UK last year.

Mr Mughal said: "In the last 18 months South Yorkshire is one of the leading areas in the country (for Islamaphobic incidents)."

Thomas Mair, 52, from Birstall, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday charged with murdering Mrs Cox, grievous bodily harm against Mr Kenny, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of a knife.

He will appear at the Old Bailey today to make a bail application.