A memorial service is to be held at the spot where a man met his death by dousing himself with accelerant and setting himself alight.

Fifty six-year-old David Mitchell was found in St Mary's Church Fields, behind cottages in Nelson Road, Harrow on the Hill, by a man on his way to work on Monday last week.

He was taken to Northwick Park Hospital at 7.45am in a serious condition but was pronounced dead the following day. Police are treating his death as non-suspicious and an inquest has been opened and adjourned. The cause of death was found to be severe burns.

A 60-year-old neighbour of Mr Mitchell who lives in Nelson Road and wishes to remain anonymous, said: "It has been an awful week. Every household along this street has been left traumatised.

"Somebody on their way to work saw flames in the field and thought it was just burning clothes. But when he looked again he could see a leg. It must have been awful."

Don Walter, who lives on the hill, was also shocked by the incident. He said: "It is a terrible thing to happen at a terrible time. Obviously it is a sensitive and tragic issue, but it is difficult to say anything because we do not know the full circumstances."

The communities in Nelson Road and West Street have been so moved by the suicide they have asked The Reverend Tim Gosden of St Mary's Church to lead a public service at the spot where Mr Mitchell set himself on fire.

The Reverend will also sprinkle holy water at the scene during the service, which will take place tomorrow (Friday) at 11am.

He said: "We felt that some sort of public witness to David's life and suffering might be helpful. People living nearby have been deeply shocked by what has happened.

"This is a time of year when vulnerable people can feel very alone. It is sad that David felt that his life was so beyond repair. We just want to pay our last respects and show him he wasn't alone."