London

Dennis Baker, 40, a driver who lives in Woolwich, said: "It's not a nice feeling here at all, it feels like the end of the world.

"It's strange seeing all these little residential streets taped off and full of cameramen."

Forensics officers in blue suits are still working at the scene. Other police in dark uniforms and blue gloves are sitting around.

All the side streets are full of satellite trucks - I have counted at least six - while photographers and reporters work their way around the perimeter of the scene.

The attack happened near the Royal Artillery Barracks. London's army bases are predominantly ceremonial, but there is a large presence.

There are 25 Army units, including TA and ceremonial. There are three main barracks, however there are many more which are ceremonial and there is more than 15 TA barracks and buildings.

There is one RAF base in Northolt which has at least five units. There is no Navy presence.

Mark Bride, 35, unemployed, said: "There has been a lot of police activity. And you can see that feelings are running high. There is a very strange atmosphere, you could cut the tension with a knife"

Alice Duggan, 80, a pensioner, said: "Everyone is very subdued.

"I was just in Sainsbury's and it was very quiet there too."

There is a very strange and silent atmosphere, with all roads closed to traffic and only a helicopter overhead.

Local shops and takeaways are closed. People are having to cut through housing estates to get past road closures.

Linda Clelland, 43, a carer, said: "We are used to shootings and stabbings in the area, it doesn't really affect you any more.

"But this has shocked everybody."

A London Imam and broadcaster, Ajmal Masroor, said he hoped the attack would not stir up anti-Muslim sentiment.

"If it does it'll be a tragedy because we would have allowed the terrorists and the thugs to win the battle, or the narrative."

The centre added: "The local Muslim community has always enjoyed an excellent relationship with the people from all walks of life regardless of their religion, colour or ethnic background.

"We do not and will never support such evil acts, and strongly suggest that both of these men should be severely punished as criminal and not as so-called 'Muslims' for the crime they have committed, with full force of law."

Greenwich Islamic Centre said: "The Muslims of the Greenwich Islamic Centre in the Royal Borough of Greenwich today condemn in the strongest terms the barbaric murder of a serving Army officer and share the grief and sorrow of the nation.

"Our hearts go out to the family, colleagues and friends of the victim of this despicable and horrific tragedy."

Leaving the meeting of Cobra, Boris Johnson appeared to indicate that yesterday's attack was being seen as a one-off incident.

"Everything I am hearing leads me to think that Londoners can go about their business in the normal way and we are going to bring the killers to justice."

Witness Graham Wilders said: "The police officers didn't even get a chance to get out their car.

"They just, like, started running towards them, especially the bloke with the machetes.

"They just had to shoot him because he was just hurtling towards them, and then the other one with the handgun, lifted it up and obviously they shot him."

The BBC understands that guidance has been issued to members of the armed forces to "conceal" their uniforms if in public - especially when travelling alone.

A defence source said this was a "common sense" measure while the investigation into yesterday's attack is ongoing. He said it did not amount to a change in policy.

Security at a number of military bases has already been stepped up and members of the services have been told to remain vigilant.

The rector of Woolwich, Reverend Jesse van der Valk, says: "Woolwich is very much a military town and has been for many hundreds of years.

"The barracks just next to us here has been here for 350 years, it's the busiest and biggest military barracks in London, and it's very much part of the town, the soldiers are to be seen round the town every day, they ride their horses, and parade around; we see them all the time, and so they are very much part of the community."

Flowers have been placed near the scene of the attack in Woolwich.

The Metropolitan Police will release the name of the solder who was killed in yesterday's attack. The Ministry of Defence says the family have been informed.

Help for Heroes said it was appalled to hear about the "brutal" murder.

"We are desperately saddened to hear of this sickening attack and offer our thoughts and prayers to his family, colleagues and friends," it added.

More on what Mr Johnson said outside the Cobra meeting.

"It is completely wrong to blame this killing on the religion of Islam but is is also equally wrong to try to draw any link between this murder and British foreign policy of the actions of British forces who are risking their lives abroad for the sake of freedom.

"The fault lies wholly and exclusively in the warped and deluded mindset of the people who did it."

The attack happened near the Royal Artillery Barracks, adjacent to Woolwich Common, the historical home of the Royal Artillery.

Ms Loyau-Kennett added: "I could see a butcher's knife and an axe - that's what he had - and blood. I thought, what the heck? I thought obviously he was a bit excited and the thing was just to talk to him."

She said she tried to reason with him to focus attention away from other potential victims.

A woman who confronted the men has told ITV Daybreak that she initially thought the victim had been injured in a car crash.

Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, 48, from Cornwall, said: "I went to the guy and when I approached the body there was a lady cradling him. And then (one of the killers), the most excited one of the two, said, 'Don't go too close to the body'."

Last night the members of the English Defence League gathered outside the The Queens Arms pub in Woolwich.

EDL leader Tommy Robinson was with supporters in Woolwich

There was a confrontation between the EDL and the police, however there were no arrests.

The Cobra meeting will decide how to respond to the killing - looking at whether it was a lone attack or a wider orchestrated campaign.

So far, he says, the UK's terror alert level has not been raised and the security response has been limited to military barracks, which would lead one to speculate it is believed to have been an isolated act.

It will be a rather cloudy day with occasional sunny intervals. A scattering of showers, perhaps heavy, will spread southwards later. It will feel chilly in the north-westerly winds. Maximum 11C (52F), minimum 6C (43F).

A man killed in a suspected terrorist attack in Woolwich was a member of the armed forces, senior Whitehall sources have confirmed.

Wednesday's events in Woolwich have shocked the UK - but this was precisely the kind of attack that security chiefs have long feared could come.

The A205, John Wilson Street, (South Circular) in Woolwich is closed in both directions between Woolwich Ferry Roundabout and the Grand Depot Road junction, following yesterday's attack. Southbound traffic is being diverted onto Woolwich High Street or Woolwich Church Street and Northbound traffic is being diverted into Grand Depot Road.

Fourteen bus routes in Woolwich: 51, 53, 54, 99, 161, 177, 180, 291, 380, 386, 422, 472, 486, and N1 are subject to delays and diversions in Artillery Place/John Wilson Street.

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Good morning. I'll be guiding you through London's Local Live service today, bringing you the latest news, travel, weather and sport from across the capital. Get in touch with your comments and photos by emailing locallive@bbc.co.uk.