Kirsty MacColl memorial service arranged

A public memorial service will take place for the late singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl later this month.

The star was killed when a speedboat ran into her shortly before Christmas in water off the Mexican island of Cozumel, as she holidayed with her children.

The service is due to take place at St Martin-in-the-Fields church off London's Trafalgar Square on January 20 at 11am. Organisers say the venue can handle up to 900 people but details about speakers and the running order have not yet been finalised.

A spokesman said: "Kirsty was well-liked and respected throughout the industry so it will be fairly easy to imagine there will be a big turnout."

Memorial services for Linda McCartney and broadcaster Desmond Wilcox have taken place at the church in past years.

The singer, whose hits included Days, There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis and A New England, is believed to have died while protecting her eldest son Jamie from the boat. He was with her in the water at the time.

Her funeral is expected to be a family affair and details are being kept secret.