ABOUT 100 people turned out to pay their respects to Drummer Lee Rigby on the anniversary of his murder.

Police stopped traffic going past Grays war memorial for a minute’s silence at 10.59am on Sunday, May 18, in tribute to the Afghanistan veteran, who was brutally killed by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale as he was returning to Woolwich Barracks a year ago last Thursday.

The commemoration was organised by Stifford Clays resident and Northern Ireland veteran Andy Johns, who was joined by fellow bikers, the Steel Horse Riders, council leader John Kent, Stanford Air Cadets and members of the public.

Wreaths were laid at the memorial provided by Grays florists Lily on the Lane and Forget Me Not and Fishers, of Chadwell St Mary.

Mr Johns, who later drove with the Riders to Woolwich to pay his respects, organised a similar event after Drummer Rigby’s murder last year and said he felt it was important people remembered fallen servicemen and women.

He said: “I’m an ex-serviceman myself, so it’s very close to home. This poor kid served his country and went to Afghanistan only to come home and get killed – it’s not right.”

Mr Johns signed up in the early Eighties and was deployed to Northern Ireland. He was discharged after being hit by a bomb blast that cost him his hearing in one ear.