THE date for the funeral of Jack Clark, Sipson's oldest resident, has been set and all are welcome to pay their last respects.

The 97-year-old had lived in the village since he was 14 and worked on the local farms for many years, making many friends.

He was a figurehead of the campaign to prevent further expansion of nearby Heathrow Airport and stood to lose his home if the village was destroyed to make room for a third runway.

His granddaughter Jackie Clark, who runs Hair By Jackie, also in Sipson, said: "He was a very popular man and a real character in the village. We're expecting a lot of people to come to his funeral."

The funeral takes place next Thursday (19) at 1pm in St Mary The Virgin Church, Harmondsworth and afterwards the mourners are invited to refreshments at West Drayton Royal British Legion.

Floral tributes can be sent to Grimstead funeral directors, in Swan Road, West Drayton.