Today Southend will pay their respects to MP Sir David Amess at a funeral service and procession.

The father-of-five, who was stabbed to death while holding a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea on October 15, was a devout Catholic.

His friend and colleague Mark Francois is to deliver a eulogy at Monday’s private ecumenical service at St Mary’s Church in Prittlewell.

The veteran MP’s friend, former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, is to read a statement on behalf of the Amess family.

Following the 1pm service, a horse-drawn hearse will carry the casket on a procession through Southend.

Read more >> Here's all you need to know about Southend funeral for Sir David Amess

It is due to pause outside Southend’s Civic Centre and again outside Sir David’s constituency office, Iveagh Hall, before returning to the chapel of rest.

On Tuesday, a Requiem Mass will be held at Westminster Cathedral in London, where a message from the Pope is to be shared.

We have opened this online Book of Condolence for readers to leave their personal messages of tribute to Sir David on this day. 

You can contribute using the form below.

Please note that Echo staff will moderate comments before they appear on this page, so you may experience a delay before they are shown below.

Community answers

Book of condolence: Sir David Amess

"Leave your messages and tributes to MP Sir David Amess"

We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.

From Lee Jordison

Leave your messages and tributes to MP Sir David AmessThank you for all you did for Southend and the surrounding area. Such a nice person and you will be very much missed!!

From Ines Murray

Leave your messages and tributes to MP Sir David AmessWill be sorely missed, especially your lovely smile, and positivity of finding reasons for any problemssitivity of f