Doorstep vigils are taking place across Kent this evening in memory of Sarah Everard.

People are invited to light candles or take part in socially-distanced walks in a show of solidarity following the alleged murder of the 33-year-old marketing executive.

Gatherings set to take place in Margate, Folkestone and Whitstable at 6pm were called off after a High Court judgement ruled them unlawful.

Instead, organisers of the Reclaim These Streets movement have urged people to pay tribute in various ways to comply with regulations brought on by Covid-19.

The group is calling on supporters to stand on their doorstep holding a candle or light at 9.30pm, the time when Sarah is believed to have gone missing.

It comes as a vigil planned on Clapham Common - near where Sarah was last seen alive - and other scheduled events across the country were cancelled.

A High Court judge yesterday refused to intervene in Reclaim These Streets’ legal challenge over the right to gather and protest during Covid restrictions.

Now, Naushabah Khan, of Fawcett Medway, says people can show their support by other means.

“People can light a candle and place it in their window or take part in a socially distanced walk in their family bubble or with a friend," Ms Khan, who is also a Labour councillor, explained.

“It is our right as women to be able to walk in the streets, on our way home safely, and there has been a real question mark around that this week."

In Canterbury, a "trail of empowerment and remembrance" has been set up, with shoes and stones laid along the river path by Sainsbury's.

The Facebook event reads: "As we cannot legally protest or host a vigil, in memory of Sarah Everard and other victims of femicide, and to voice our own experiences of harassment, sexual assault or violence, we will make a trail of painted rocks.

"This will start at the red shoes that will be placed at the St Radigunds Bridge side of the river path and head towards the Sainsbury's car park end of the river."

A Canterbury Labour spokesman said: “For now, express your support by taking a picture that symbolises women in the street. It might be yourself, if you’re comfortable with this, or a pair of shoes or a painted stone."

The shoes and stones will be laid along the path from 6pm today, for the next eight days.

A list of names of the 118 women and girls killed in the past year where a man has been convicted, or charged, with being the primary perpetrator, has also been placed at the site.

Meanwhile, calls have been made for women, men, girls and boys to pay tribute to Sarah in Sion Hill, Ramsgate.

Emma Sophia Phoenix says she will be at the Tide Mast by Sion Hill at 5.30pm to lay flowers and messages.

Urging supporters to follow Covid guidelines, she said: “I would encourage all of you, men and women, to walk by at some point this evening to leave a tribute, write a message or voice anger.

“We want to no longer live in fear, no longer be victims of sexual harassment, abuse, sexual abuse, rape or murder and we want to be equal.

“Let our town, our country and the world know we do not stand for violence against women and we want change."

Wayne Couzens, 48, an armed diplomatic protection officer, was arrested at his Deal home on Tuesday night.

The serving police officer today appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with the kidnap and murder of Sarah.

He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on March 16.

A body found in woodland near Ashford on Wednesday was that of Sarah, police confirmed.