HUNDREDS are expected to honour two Hampshire firefighters who lost their lives trying to save others at a special memorial service.

Alan Bannon and James Shears, of Red Watch at St Mary’s Fire Station, will be remembered at a public service on July 14, at Winchester Cathedral.

Before the service a memorial stone will be unveiled at the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters in Eastleigh, paying tribute to the 60 Hampshire firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty over the past 110 years.

Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Dame Mary Fagan will unveil the stone at 11.15am, before the memorial service in Winchester starts at 2.30pm.

The pair lost their lives while fighting a fire at Shirley Towers on April 6. A police investigation is still under way into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

More details about the arrangements for the day will be revealed closer to the event.