MUSIC and laughter filled a park when hundreds of people gathered for the annual Great Get Together to honour the memory of murdered MP Jo Cox.

Families came together in Darlington's South Park for a celebration of her life and show the strength of unity over the power of division.

The theme of this year’s events, organised by the Jo Cox Foundation, was ‘Let’s Get Back Together’.

More in Common Darlington organised the event in the park and Chair Peter Greenwood echoed the sentiments of the message.

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Peter Greenwood speaking to the crowd

He said: "I think it has been even better this year than last – everyone has come together to mark the occasion.

"Hopefully, it will become a regular feature in the calendar and it will continue to show that people are stronger together."

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A packed South Park

The idea behind this year's event is the chance for people across the country to reconnect with old friends, neighbours and family members and to meet others in their communities who they may not already know.

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Darlington MP Jenny Chapman

Amongst the people marking the occasion was Darlington MP Jenny Chapman who gave an impassioned speech in memory of her friend and former colleague.

"It is a very poignant event for all the people who knew Jo and shared her ideals," she said. "This shows that people have more in common than there is dividing us – people have to come together to overcome the division in society."

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Throughout the day there was music and entertainment, including from the Caribbean Cowboys, pictured above, as well as information from campaign groups.