Ronnie's fans can say fond farewell (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Ronnie's fans can say fond farewell

FANS of the late comic Ronnie Barker are being given the opportunity to attend a memorial service at London's Westminster Abbey next week.

Friends, family and fellow comedians are due to attend the event on March 3 to pay tribute to the Two Ronnies star, who died in October at the age of 76.

Mr Barker lived in Dean, near Chipping Norton, and in 1988 opened the Emporium antiques shop in Chipping Norton High Street.He was also a great supporter of the town's Theatre, and in 1985 put on two fund-raising shows, selling £3,000 worth of tickets on one night alone.

Some tickets for the service are still available to those who apply through the abbey.

Mr Barker's comedy partner Ronnie Corbett will deliver the eulogy.

It is only the third time a comic has been given a memorial service at Westminster Abbey, after Joyce Grenfell in 1980 and Les Dawson in 1994.

"The abbey provides memorial services for many people who have touched the nation's heart, and thousands of people enjoyed Ronnie Barker's work," an Abbey spokeswoman told the BBC.

The service will be conducted by Canon Robert Wright.

"The abbey holds up to 2,000 so that will hopefully be how many will be there," added the Abbey spokeswoman.

To apply for tickets send a self-addressed envelopes to: The Chapter Office, 20 Dean's Yard, Westminster Abbey, London SW1P3PA.