FAMILY and friends of the man killed in the Bootham bus crash in York have been invited to say farewell to him this weekend.

A York hotel will host an informal get-together on Sunday night for people to remember the life of Mohamed Mahmoud Hussein Eltahtawy.

His girlfriend, Carol Knowles, said everyone who knew Mr Eltahtawy was welcome to attend Clarence Gardens Hotel, in Haxby Road, York, from 7pm.

She told the Evening Press: "It's not a memorial or remembrance service. It's a chance for his family and friends to get together and say farewell."

Miss Knowles said the hotel send-off was organised after a floods of calls asking whether there would be a memorial service following the tragic Bootham crash. Cash collections have also been made for the father-of-three, she said.

Miss Knowles said Mr Eltahtawy, 49, who was originally from Egypt but had lived in York for 18 years, was a very popular man.

The Haxby resident said: "He was very well-liked and respected in York. There have been some really nice tributes paid to him."

She has previously described Mr Eltahtawy as her "prince".

Updated: 10:39 Wednesday, April 28, 2004