A MARCH through a town in memory of Woolwich stab victim Lee Rigby was non-political, says its organiser.

A group of people walked through Hitchin on Saturday, before laying a wreath at the war memorial outside St Mary’s Church.

The event passed peacefully, with event organiser Ian Robinson saying today (Wednesday) the march was not linked with extremist group English Defence League (EDL), as many people on social media sites believed it to be.

He told the Comet: “It was not political, it was out of respect, nothing more.

“I invited friends on Facebook and one or two asked about flags, but I said no. (I) liaised with police and about 50-60 people turned up.

“The grandaughter of a soldier serving in Afghanistan laid the wreath and there was no hostility against us.”

A further event had been planned in Stevenage by a different group of people, but it never materialised.

A police spokesman said: “As part of a series of national events organised by the EDL in recognition of the death of Fusilier Lee Rigby in Woolwich, three ‘walks’ were planned to take place in Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage and Hitchin.

“Around 30 attended the Hitchin walk.

“Hertfordshire Constabulary had appropriate plans in place to ensure minimal disruption to the local communities and liaised wherever possible with event organisers. Both events (Hitchin and Hemel) were peaceful and passed without incident.”