Islanders showed their respect to a murdered soldier with a walk and minute’s silence.

About 50 people went along to pay tribute to 25-year-old Drummer Lee Rigby, who was killed by Islamic extremists in London last month.

Lee Ewart, of Manor Road, Rushenden, organised the gathering which took place at Beachfields Park in Sheerness on Sunday.

It coincided with similar events nationally after it was revealed a service would be held in Woolwich, where the attack happened.

The vigil started from the sandpit and went across to Tantra and down to the sculpture outside McDonald’s, where Robin Harris and James Crane sounded Last Post.

This was followed by a silence, Reveille was sounded and then there was a minute of applause before the group made its way to the war memorial where some more flowers were laid.

Mr Ewart, 49, said: “I wanted to show we are all thinking of Lee’s family and support them 100%.

“Our event was peaceful and quite emotional and everyone showed Lee the respect he deserved by marching peacefully and holding the minute of silence.

“I wanted the event to also be a celebration of his life and of all our boys and girls serving our country.

“I would like to thank Robin and James for playing, the Sheppey Event Marshalling Unit for keeping the walk in shape and everyone for coming along and making the event a success.”