Thousands of pink candles will be lit this afternoon in memory of a two-year-old girl.

On what would have been Sadie Salt's third birthday, members of the Jewish community in Hertsmere and beyond, with Sadie's family's blessing, will light pink candles at sunset.

Sadie, who lived in Barnet, died on November 14, two days after she choked while eating lunch at her nursery in Radlett.

Following her death, a striking image of a pink candle has been shared by hundreds of people on social media to pay tribute to Sadie.

Watford Observer:

Lighting a pink candle for Sadie

An initiative was then launched by a Jewish organisation called Connect Borehamwood to distribute 200 sets of pink Shabbat candles in memory of Sadie.

Demand for these pink candles has grown, with 15,000 packs being distributed out in time for Shabbat, a day of rest in the weekly Jewish calendar which begins at sunset every Friday and ends on Saturday night.

Rabbi Peretz Goldstein of Connect Borehamwood said: "We have been overwhelmed by the response to this initiative. It is an incredible credit to the community that so many have come together to share a little bit of light through this sad time."

Watford Observer:

Children have been involved in the project to put together packages of pink candles

Sadie's parents, who attended their daughter's funeral yesterday, have also thanked Lucy Benson from Lily Bella Home Fragrance who has been special Sadie Salt candles and donating all of the profits to COSMIC - a charity which supports critically ill children.

More than £55,000 has been raised so far for COSMIC after a fundraising page was set up by Sadie's father Adam, on November 15.

Watford Observer:

Sadie died on November 14

Meanwhile, nearly 11,000 people have signed a petition calling for a ban on nurseries serving sausages and grapes to under 5's.

Sadie, who had two older brothers, had been eating sausages for lunch at nursery when she began choking.

She was rushed to hospital, and spent two days in intensive care but passed away in St Mary's Hospital.

The petition, titled Sadie's Law, was set up by family friends of the Salt's, Darren and Claire.

The Salt family are scheduled to meet with Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden today to discuss the petition.