A vigil is being held in Swindon this weekend in memory of two dogs who were shot dead by police in London.

The solemn occasion near Lydiard House in Lydiard Park will include a moment of silence, candle lighting, and speeches from 1pm on Sunday.

Similar vigils will be held across the country on the same date after the deaths of Marshall, who was three years old, and Millions, who was nine months old, sparked national outrage.

Metropolitan Police firearms officers shot the two Staffordshire bull terriers while responding to a 999 call in Poplar, east London.

According to reports, the animals had allegedly attacked a woman and her dog.

Footage that surfaced on social media appeared to show the officers following the dogs’ owner, then tasering him to the floor and firing their guns at his pets.

A petition calling for the Met Police to be held accountable for these “unlawful” actions has received more than 1.1 million signatures.

Kelly Louise helped organise the Swindon vigil. She said: “Marshall and Millions’ senseless and tragic deaths have left us all heartbroken. 

“This vigil is an opportunity for us to come together as a community to remember the lives of these two innocent animals and to demand justice for their deaths.”

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an independent investigation into the incident.

IOPC regional director Amanda Rowe said that she understands the "public concern regarding this incident".

"We will examine whether the actions of the officers involved were reasonable and proportionate in all of the circumstances and in line with relevant policy and procedure," she said.

A spokesperson for the Met Police said earlier this month: "As part of their enquiries to safeguard the public, local officers supported by specialists from Dog Support Unit and Specialist Firearms Command, spoke to a male in the vicinity who was in possession of the two dogs.

"Following this interaction, which failed to bring the dogs satisfactorily under control, police firearms officers destroyed the two dogs at the scene.

"The owner of the dogs was arrested at the scene. Police Taser was discharged. He was taken into custody and was later charged."