A campaign has been launched to “love-bomb” wavering voters in the upcoming EU referendum by concerned Europeans living in London.

Katrin Lock, a German who has lived in London for seven years said the idea was simple - they wanted Europeans to post photos of them hugging their British friends with the hashtag #PleaseDontGoUK to show them that they they are loved.

She told The Local: “It’s a little bit hippy, but a little bit of hippiness is needed. People are always arguing about cucumbers and shower caps. We wanted to do something positive instead of just talking about rules and regulations.

“It’s a love-bomb for the UK.”

The group has already had contributions from French people, Italians, Germans, Spaniards and Swedes - both living in the UK and abroad - all hugging their British friends.

Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker also got involved by sharing a hug with his German fan Christine Ullman.

Ms Lock said they had received one submission from a person hugging a statue of Virginia Woolf.

People are also encouraged to explain their thoughts about friendship with Britain and why the UK should remain part of the union.

Rosella Soravia, from Italy, wrote about her friend Saul: “I know Saul from going to boarding school in Malvern, where I spend the best two years of my life thanks to the great English humour and its great education.”

What has the EU ever done for us? Show all 7 1 /7 What has the EU ever done for us? What has the EU ever done for us? 1. It gives you freedom to live, work and retire anywhere in Europe As a member of the EU, UK citizens benefit from freedom of movement across the continent. Considered one of the so-called four pillars of the European Union, this freedom allows all EU citizens to live, work and travel in other member states. What has the EU ever done for us? 2. It sustains millions of jobs A report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, released in October 2015, suggested 3.1 million British jobs were linked to the UK’s exports to the EU. What has the EU ever done for us? 3. Your holiday is much easier - and safer Freedom to travel is one of the most exercised benefits of EU membership, with Britons having made 31 million visits to the EU in 2014 alone. But a lot of the benefits of being an EU citizen are either taken for granted or go unnoticed. What has the EU ever done for us? 4. It means you're less likely to get ripped off Consumer protection is a key benefit of the EU’s single market, and ensures members of the British public receive equal consumer rights when shopping anywhere in Europe. What has the EU ever done for us? 5. It offers greater protection from terrorists, paedophiles, people traffickers and cyber-crime Another example of a lesser-known advantage of EU membership is the benefit of cross-country coordination and cooperation in the fight against crime. What has the EU ever done for us? 6. Our businesses depend on it According to 71% of all members of the Confederation of British Influence (CBI), and 67 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the EU has had an overall positive impact on their business. What has the EU ever done for us? 7. We have greater influence Robin Niblett, Director of think-tank Chatham House, stated in a report published last year: “For a mid-sized country like the UK, which will never again be economically dominant either globally or regionally, and whose diplomatic and military resources are declining in relative terms, being a major player in a strong regional institution can offer a critical lever for international influence.

Other people’s submissions were more practical than sentimental.