Hundreds expected to line the streets for funeral of murdered Middleton soldier Lee Rigby

Police have given advice on roads where mourners should line the streets for the funeral, which takes place this Friday at 11am in Bury, Lancashire.

A framed picture outside Woolwich Barracks

Hundreds of people are expected to line the streets on the day of the funeral of murdered soldier Lee Rigby.

Police have now designated the roads where people should stand if they want to pay their respects.
Drummer Rigby, from Middleton, was killed near Woolwich barracks in London on May 22.
His private military funeral will take place at 11am this Friday at the parish church in Bury.
Members of the public who want to pay their respects have been told they can stand on Rochdale Road in Bury – from Bury town centre to Heap Bridge – after the service from 11.30am.
Many more will stand on Hollin Lane in Middleton – between Langley Lane and Rochdale Road – as the cortege arrives in Drummer Rigby's hometown before 12.15pm.
Police say they have been working closely with Bury and Rochdale councils to make the arrangements.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “It is anticipated that the area around the church will be extremely busy so GMP is working with Bury council and Rochdale council to designate suitable roads for members of the public to line to pay their respects once Lee's body leaves the church.
“Well wishers are asked to stick to these designated areas to ensure the cortege and other traffic in the towns have a safe passage and prevent major disruption on what will undoubtedly be a very busy day in both towns.
“Members of the public are all asked, in strict accordance with the family's wishes, to not attend or line any route as Lee is laid to rest at the private burial site.
“The family have requested this is a private family-only matter, so anyone who wishes to pay their respects should line Rochdale Road in Bury and Hollin Lane in Middleton only.”

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Paul Heyes

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Gallery In Pictures: Lee Rigby – tragic Middleton soldier, brutally murdered

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  Bury has strong links with Drummer Rigby's regiment, the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, whose roots go back to the Bury-based Lancashire Fusiliers.
A parade of drummers will escort Lee's body on Thursday night and the cortege will be met by a guard of honour of 40 soldiers drawn from his regiment.
The guard of honour will keep a vigil over his body the night before the private service at Bury parish church.
His funeral service will be broadcast to outsiders via a PA system, the MoD confirmed last week.
Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, have been charged with his murder as well as the attempted murder of two police officers and possession of a firearm with intent to cause others to believe violence would be used.
They will appear at court for a plea and case management hearing on September 27 before standing trial at the Old Bailed on November 18.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/hundreds-expected-line-streets-funeral-4889011