Flowers have been laid in memory of slain soldier Lee Rigby at the town’s Central Avenue war memorial.

As of this lunchtime, more than 20 bunches have been placed there after a Facebook campaign was launched asking people to show support for his family.

Drummer Rigby, 25, was hacked to death in a Woolwich street last week in a crime that shocked Britain.

One of the two men accused of his murder appeared in court this morning and was remanded in custody. The second man is still in hospital after being shot by police.

Speaking in Central Avenue, Jenny Gee, of Charlotte Street, Sittingbourne, said: “I think it’s terrible; he had all his tour of duty in Afghanistan and gets killed in England.

“Flowers are fine if that’s what people want to do, it’s just sad that they don’t last.”

Another passer-by, Andrew Rochester, 49, of Cavell Way, Sittingbourne, said: “I think the soldiers should be remembered, without them we wouldn’t be here.”

And John Spree, 68, of Northwood Drive, Sittingbourne, said: “It’s a nice tribute to a brave soldier, a good man ruthlessly killed by obvious fanatics.”

Speaking about people using the memorial as a place to pay tribute, the town’s Royal British Legion branch chairman, Fred Langworthy, said: “I don’t have a problem with it at all as they can’t get up to Woolwich so they lay flowers out at the nearest memorial.

“I think people should feel strongly about this. This guy has laid his life on the line, and then he comes back to England and is murdered for a job that he was doing for this country.”