The unofficial memorial to Lee Rigby at the site where he was brutally murdered in Woolwich has been removed by Greenwich Council.

In a statement, the council said the memorial in Hillreach was removed yesterday (January 17) because of the “unsightly” nature of the memorial and took the decision after speaking to residents at the site.

A permanent memorial to fusilier Rigby was put in place at a different site on Armistice Day in November 2015.

Lyn Rigby, Lee’s mother, said in 2016: “There is a permanent memorial to Lee at St George’s Chapel in Woolwich which is what we wanted.”

However some people maintained an unofficial memorial at the site he was killed, including flowers and flags with his name.

The council said it was also removed in part because of the number of children who walk past it on the way to the nearby school.

A spokesperson from Greenwich Council said: “We are acting now because the number of items has expanded significantly in recent months and many have been weathered, worn and look unsightly.

“Residents of Elliston House were invited to share their views and we believe that the residents should not have to live under such conditions going forward.

“The Council has spoken with Lee’s widow and mother ahead of the removal to make them aware, and they are sympathetic. We have also consulted with the Army and Police.

“We understand that people want to pay their respects and so Royal Greenwich created two official memorials to honour not only Lee, but all of those who served or lived in the Royal Borough and sacrificed their lives for our country since 1945.

"There is a memorial plaque in nearby St George’s Chapel and a book of remembrance at Woolwich Town Hall.”

Danny Taylor is one of the people who kept the memorial updated and had started a fundraiser to try pay for its upkeep. He said: “Don’t care what they are saying they will be replaced anyway.

“I was in the process of getting all new flags and banners to be put up this week or next anyway and it would have been kept looking nice.”

Phil Holmes is another person who helped keep the memorial updated and wrote on Facebook: “We have put flags up every year since Lee died so why we gonna stop now.”

Kelly Whitehead wrote: “Oh well it won’t stop us putting stuff back up Greenwich Council need to have some sympathy for a young man who went to war to protect your country u r a disgrace.”