A ceremony will be held in Accrington this weekend in memory of tragic fusilier Lee Rigby.
Drummer Rigby, 25, was hacked to death near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich on May 22.
Councillors say they have been ‘overwhelmed’ by calls from residents in Hyndburn wanting a ceremony to pay their respects.
This will now take place at the Pals War Memorial on Church Street in Accrington town centre on Saturday, June 8 at 11am.
Tory councillor Peter Britcliffe said Lee Rigby’s death was a ‘horrendous event’ and one people will not forget.
He said: “I have been approached by numerous people wanting us to do something and the council have agreed to arrange a short ceremony.
“I think people throughout the country and Hyndburn have been absolutely shocked at this atrocity and this will give them an outlet to express their grief and sorrow for Lee Rigby and his family.”
Hyndburn Mayor Judith Addison will lay a wreath at the memorial and the ceremony which will also be attended by representatives of the Royal British Legion, political leaders and other organisations.
Coun Addison said: “Peter Britcliffe and I are regular users of Facebook and at the weekend a lot of people were expressing very strong opinions that something should be done in Hyndburn to honour Lee Rigby.
“I know people have been putting flowers on the Cenotaph in Oswaldtwistle and we are hoping to have a vigil there when we find out the date of his funeral.”
Council leader Miles Parkinson said the ceremony will be a ‘poignant moment’.
He said: “What happened to Lee Rigby was despicable.
“There’s great public feeling to support our armed forces for what they do for our country and especially at a time when other servicemen and women across the globe are supporting democracy and freedom.”
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.
