A VIGIL is being held on the eve of the funeral of murdered soldier Lee Rigby, who was hacked to death in Woolwich.

His loved ones will gather around the coffin of the Fusilier, with comrades at arms keeping a guard of honour overnight at Bury Parish Church in Greater Manchester.

Fusilier Rigby, 25, a drummer in the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was killed as he returned to Woolwich Barracks from the Tower of London.

The father-of-one had served in Afghanistan and was attached to the regimental recruiting team when he was murdered on May 22.

The horrific killing led to nationwide shock and revulsion, and tomorrow's funeral (July 12) is expected to be attended by hundreds of mourners following a groundswell of support for his family from the public.

They have been inundated with cards, letters and flowers from all over the country and abroad and from all faiths in condolence.

Bury has strong links with Fusilier Rigby's regiment, whose roots go back to the Lancashire Fusiliers, based in Bury, just two miles from the soldier's home town of Middleton.

Drummers from the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (2RRF) will drum the cortege, past soldiers of the Regiment lining the route to Bury Parish Church for the vigil to begin.

Fusilier Rigby will be borne into church and a short ceremony will take place attended by his family.

The honour guard will remain with Fusilier Rigby's body overnight inside the church, which was the garrison church for the Lancashire Fusiliers and colours of the Regiment hang proudly from their pikes around the walls of the nave.