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A memorial service to celebrate the life of PC David Rathband is to be held at St Nicholas Cathedral in Newcastle.

PC Rathband, 44, who was shot and blinded by Raoul Moat in 2010, was found hanged at his home in Blyth, Northumberland, one week ago.

Members of the public, politicians and senior dignitaries will be invited to the service at 12:00 GMT on Saturday.

He will be buried in his home town of Stafford on 17 March at a public service, followed by a private burial.

PC Rathband's brother Darren, who has organised the memorial, said: "Anyone who has shown any interest in David's life and what he stood for is welcome to come to the service and show their respects.

"It will be a celebration of his life in the North East where he served people as a policeman before we then take him home to be buried with his family," he said.

In Stafford, PC Rathband will be buried in his uniform, with his hat and gloves on top of the casket.

The funeral will not be a full police service, as this was not what PC Rathband wanted.

PC Rathband was shot twice by Moat while sitting unarmed in his patrol car in July 2010.