Nation set for Rigby funeral

Royal Fusliers carry the coffin of Lee Rigby into Bury Parish Church for a vigil on the eve of his funeral on July 11, 2013. Friends and family of a British soldier murdered on a London street in a suspected Islamist attack will pay their respects at his funeral in northern England on Friday. (AFP)

Crowds watch as the hearse carrying the coffin of Fusilier Lee Rigby arrives at Bury Parish Church for a vigil on the eve of his funeral on July 11, 2013. (AFP)

LONDON (AFP) – Friends and family of a soldier murdered on a London street in a suspected Islamist attack will pay their respects at his funeral in northern England on Friday.

Lee Rigby, 25, was hacked to death in broad daylight near his barracks in Woolwich, southeast London, on May 22.

Onlookers applauded his cortege on Thursday as it made its way to Bury Parish Church, escorted by drummers.

The coffin was decorated with floral tributes spelling the words "brother", "son" and "husband".

His family attended a service in the regiment's garrison church, ahead of an overnight vigil and Friday's full military ceremony.

Two men, Michael Adebowale, 22, and Michael Adebolajo, 28, have been charged with his murder.