Friends and family celebrate Kirsty MacColl's life

Friends and fans of singer songwriter Kirsty MacColl are celebrating the star's life at a memorial service in central London.

She was killed in an accident off the coast of Mexico in December when she was struck by a speedboat while swimming with her two children off the island of Cozumel.

The 41-year-old will be remembered by many for her sharp wit and angelic voice.

Many of those who worked with MacColl during her 22-year career are expected to attend the service, including guitarist Johnny Marr, and members of The Pogues, on whose single, A Fairytale Tale Of New York, she sang.

The memorial service will be held at St Martin-in-the-Fields church off Trafalgar Square.

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

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

A memorial fund has been set up called Music Fund For Cuba which will be used to provide instruments and sheet music for children in Cuba.

MacColl was a frequent visitor to the country and the influence of the island's music was evident on her last album, Tropical Brainstorm.