Hundreds of people gathered at the Accrington Pals memorial as a tribute to fusilier Lee Rigby.
Parents and children were joined by community leaders, local dignitaries and representatives of the Royal British Legion to pay their respects to drummer Rigby who died near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich on May 22.
Around 400 people attended the service on Church Street in the town centre led by Father Lawrence Carson-Featham.
Floral tributes were left at the Pals monument including a wreath laid by Hyndburn Mayor Judith Addison.
Coun Addison said it was a very ‘fitting service’.
She said: “There were strong feelings on behalf of the public that we should do something like this and there was people there with their children.
“People wanted to express their feelings as I know people have been particularly touched by his death.
“Lee Rigby was walking down a street in England near his barracks when it happened and had a partner and child.
“He was not in Afghanistan or somewhere he knew his life would be at risk.
“I thought Father Lawrence handled the service very sensitively. There was quite a contingent from the British Legion with their medals and there was quite a lot of people there.”
Tory council group leader Peter Britcliffe helped organise the service and attended the ceremony along with other councillors
He said: “It was a very dignified ceremony and was very poignant.
“It just gave people the opportunity to pay their respects to Lee and they were thinking of his family.
“When I spoke to people after they really appreciated the opportunity being provided by the service.”
Michael Adebolajo, 28, of Romford, Essex and Michael Adebowale, 22, of Greenwich, have been charged with the murder of father-of-one Lee Rigby from Middleton.
