THE widow of soldier Lee Rigby broke down in tears as two men denied his murder.

Rebecca Rigby watched tearfully as Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink.

Fusilier Rigby, who was from Middleton, Greater Manchester, was killed as he returned to Woolwich barracks in south-east London on May 22, and died from multiple cut and stab wounds.

The defendants also each denied attempting to murder a police officer on May 22, the day of Fusilier Rigby's death, and conspiracy to murder a police officer on or before that day.

Wearing red T-shirts and pale trousers, they appeared from separate rooms for yesterday's hearing.

Mr Adebolajo, from Romford in Essex, has asked to be known as Mujaahid Abu Hamza in court, while Mr Adebowale, from Greenwich, south-east London, has asked to be called Ismail Ibn Abdullah.

The pair were remanded in custody to face trial at the Old Bailey on November 18.