Thousands of people have helped persuade council chiefs to allow a memorial for murdered soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich.

There have been mounting calls – including around 80,000 signatures – for a Woolwich memorial to be built near the spot where the fusilier was brutally killed by Muslim extremists on May 22 last year.

Greenwich Council, which has never before openly supported plans for a tribute near Woolwich’s barracks, is now discussing memorial proposals with the soldier’s family.

Lorna Taylor, whose son fought with Fusilier Rigby in Afghanistan and is friends with his mother Lyn Rigby, has led a campaign to erect a memorial for the fallen soldier. She said: “It is fantastic news. Lyn and the family are over the moon.

“It is the result they wanted for Lee’s everlasting memory.

“Lyn said she was just so happy Lee was going to get the memorial he deserves.”

News Shopper: Lorna Taylor holding her petition for a permanent memorial to Lee Rigby in Woolwich

The 46-year-old, of Western Way, Thamesmead added: “I don’t believe it is going to be an overnight job.

“Where it will be and what it will be and how long it is going to take is anybody’s guess.”

She went on to say suggestions include embedding a memorial into the wall where the 25-year-old was killed, or building one on the army’s grounds.

The council support comes after LBC radio’s Nick Ferrari, who lives in Blackheath, gathered around 25,000 signatures of support on top of Ms Taylor’s 30,000 written signatures and an online petition.

Ms Taylor said: “You can’t ignore that, the support was just growing and growing. I think some councillors changed their minds too.”

Mayor of London Boris Johnson says he is “pleased” the council has backed the call for a memorial.

He said: “It is quite right that Drummer Lee Rigby should be remembered in this way, and I am pleased the council is working with Lee’s mother Lyn and the Rigby family to design an appropriate memorial to Lee.

“Not only will this stand as a fitting remembrance to a brave young man who served his country with distinction, but also to the way that the community in Woolwich and the entire city came together in the wake of Lee’s appalling murder."

A Greenwich Council spokesman said: “Greenwich Council can confirm that it is in discussions with both Lee Rigby’s family and the Army about the issue of remembering Lee.

“The discussions are on-going and we have no further statements to make at this stage.”

The army has not officially altered its position to back a memorial at this point.

An army spokesman said: “The Army will remember Fusilier Rigby in the way it remembers all its fallen who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country, by adding his name to the Wall of Remembrance at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire.

"Here he will be honoured alongside all his colleagues who have given their lives in service.

"The thoughts of every member of the Fusilier family, the Army and the wider service community will be with Fusilier Rigby's family and friends at this difficult and poignant time.”

They went on to say Fusilier Rigby's regiment has recently erected a Regimental Memorial to the Arboretum which commemorates all fusiliers killed on operations.

He will also be remembered in the Regiment's Role of Honour in Bury Church, the Tower of London and at Tidworth Garrison.