A memorial service for former England international and British and Irish Lions icon and Dorset Sporting Club leading light David Duckham is to be held next week.

Mr Duckham died aged 76 earlier this year and a the service to celebrate his life is to be held on Monday 27 February at Coventry Cathedral.

Mr Duckham was the organiser of the Dorset Sporting Club lunches in Sandbanks which are sponsored by Ellis Jones Solicitors and supported by Julius Baer International Limited.

Sporting greats such as cricketer Phil Tufnell, Wales rugby international Adam Jones and cricket commentator Henry Blofeld are among those to have recently appeared at the lunches.

Dorset Sporting Club is planning a memorial lunch for David in May.

Mr Duckham made his name as a swashbuckling winger and centre who was part of the British and Irish Lions side’s victorious series win in New Zealand in 1971.

He made his international debut in 1969 and won a total of 36 England caps with the last coming in 1976.

With Coventry as his club side, Mr Duckham was also part of a Barbarians side that earned a famous 23-11 victory over the All Blacks at Cardiff Arms Park in 1973.

Mr Duckham, who lived in Stratford upon Avon, went into business following retirement with successful careers in banking and construction.

He was the longstanding managing director and owner of the Southern Sporting Clubs, including Dorset.

Mr Duckham is survived by Jean and his three daughters.