A poignant candlelight vigil will be held at Chester Town Hall tonight (Monday, June 13) to remember the dozens killed in a mass shooting at a Florida nightclub.

More than 50 people were killed in Orlando after gunman Omar Mateen opened fire at a gay nightclub on Sunday (June 12), in what has been described as the worst mass shooting in American history.

Chester's remembrance event has been organised by Matthew Poynton, Craig Gilmartin and Alex Cefai who present the LGBT show on local radio station Flipside Radio, and they are encouraging as many people as possible to turn out and show their support for all who lost their lives.

Alex told The Chronicle: "We will be stood outside the town hall at 8pm with candles and hope as many people as possible can join us.

"People will need to bring a candle with them."

The Lord Mayor Councillor Angela Claydon has written to the Mayor of Orlando expressing the condolences of the people of Chester after 49 people died and 53 were injured in the gun attack on the nightclub.

A Book of Condolence has been opened in the Town Hall and anyone wishing to sign it can do so between 9am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Candles have also been lit in memorial of those who lost their lives in the shooting.

In the letter to Mayor Buddy Dyer, Councillor Claydon writes: “Can I, on behalf of the City of Chester, England, express our deepest sympathy and extend our sincere condolences to all those affected by the cruel shootings that killed and injured so many innocent people, in your city, during the early hours of Sunday 12 June 2016.

“We as a City stand shoulder to shoulder with Orlando’s community and with those from across the world to confront and ultimately defeat those who would wish to attack our liberty, freedom of expression and our democracies.

“Can I take this opportunity to assure you that we join in solidarity and strength with the people of Orlando and other cities across the world affected by recent terrorist attacks over the coming days, months and years as you rebuild yourselves after this heinous attack. This was a cruel attack on nothing less than humanity itself.

“Books of Condolences have been opened in Chester Town Hall, England, today and candles have been lit in memory of those who lost their lives in the early hours of Sunday morning.

"Collectively we demonstrate our gratitude to the Florida emergency services and the brave public who came to the aid of the injured and who put their own lives at risk to help and save others.

“Our thoughts are with those families in Orlando, and other countries, who have lost family members and friends, or may have loved ones who were injured in the events of Sunday morning.”

Flags are flying at half-mast at main Cheshire West and Chester Council buildings throughout the borough.