A MEMORIAL service to a former Lord Mayor of York will be held at York Minster at the end of this month.

Jack Birch, of Fulford, who was chairman of builders William Birch and Sons and gave more than 30 years' service to the old York City Council, died last month, aged 92.

Former colleagues will join family and friends for the service, which starts at 2.15 pm on Friday, May 30.

His daughter, Kathy Pickard, said it had originally been intended to hold the service at the Methodist Central Chapel, as Jack had been a Methodist, but it was felt a bigger venue was needed to accommodate the large number of people expected to attend.

She said speakers would include ones from the building, civic and charitable worlds. "My father was involved in more than 30 charities and organisations," she said.

Updated: 09:07 Monday, May 19, 2003