FAMILY, friends and well-wishers of Guinness Book of Records founder Norris McWhirter CBE gathered for a memorial service at St Martin in the Fields in London on Thursday.

Mr McWhirter, who died on April 19, lived at Kington Langley, and among the 500 plus people at the service were North Wiltshire MP James Gray and Mr McWhirter's long-time gardener, Howard Harding from Chippenham.

Others present included many people from the political and celebrity arena, including Margaret Thatcher, Neil and Christine Hamilton, Jeffrey Archer and composer Tim Rice.

Mr Harding said the service was a fitting tribute. "It was exactly what Norris would have wanted.

"There were very patriotic hymns, because he was a patriot, and a nice bit of humour.

"Norris was a true British gentleman."

Mr McWhirter was 78 when he died of a heart attack at his home.

He was most famous for setting up the Guinness Book of Records with his identical twin brother Ross, and for his immense general knowledge which he displayed on the children's programme Record Breakers.

He was also an accomplished athlete in his youth, and at the service his friend Roger Bannister paid tribute to him.

"Roger Bannister said he had known Norris for over 50 years and he talked about their time at college," said Mr Harding.

"Norris knew so many facts once when he was asked how many square miles did Guernsey have, he replied when the tide is in or out?

"He knew so many things and read dictionaries from cover to cover."

Mr McWhirter had a daughter, Jane and a son, Alisdair, who also read a tribute, talking of his father's political life.

Mr McWhirter and his brother were educated at Marlborough, and went on to Oxford after war service in the Royal Navy. An outstanding athlete, he was an international sprinter, and worked as a freelance journalist for newspapers and the BBC, and was a commentator at the Olympic Games from 1960 to 1972.

Mr Harding, who worked for Mr McWhirter for 16 years, attended the service with his wife Sue and daughter Melissa.

"One year my daughters made him a chocolate cake for his birthday and he wrote them a lovely letter to thank them."