This last picture of Linda shows her surrounded by her beloved dogs

Celebrities and close family friends, including Sir Elton John, Sting, and Spike Milligan, were among the hundreds who gathered for the memorial service in central London.

The service featured a number of Sir Paul's songs that were inspired by his wife and one of the most enduring marriages in showbusiness.

As the guests filed in to her private memorial service, pipe major John McGeachy of the Campbeltown Pipe Band performed the couple's 1977 hit Mull Of Kintyre.

George Harrison leaves the church after the service

The Brodsky Quartet and students from the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts - set up by Sir Paul - also played.

The choir and congregation joined together for the hymn All Things Bright And Beautiful and the Beatles classic Let It Be.

During the service, Sir Paul thanked guests inside the church.

Animal rights campaigners paid their tribute outside

"Linda in Spanish meant beautiful and not a lot of people knew that. On behalf of the kids who have been so brave, I want to thank everyone.

"She was my girlfriend so I've lost my girlfriend and that is very sad. I still can't believe it but I have to because it's true.

"After she died I was thinking of her and I thought of her like a diamond, a big orange diamond and if you look at all the facets of the diamond as with every facet you looked at she was greater."

Carla Lane: friend and fellow campaigner

Actress Joanna Lumley, a passionate campaigner, like Linda, for animal welfare, read Death Is Nothing At All, by Henry Scott Holland.

Addresses were also given by the guitarist with The Who, Pete Townshend, and the writer and animal rights campaigner, Carla Lane.

She said her address, specifically about Linda's commitment to animals, came from "the people in the square" - the campaigners who had gathered in Trafalgar Square outside for a candlelit vigil.

Carla Lane explains why campaigners gathered outside the service

"They scoffed in the beginning didn't they? Cranks they called us but you took the path where no one had gone; you promised them a voice and you held their terror close.

"Lady Linda we cannot see you, but we still hear you."

Outside the church, crowds braved wind and rain as guests arrived.

Ringo Starr with wife Barbara Bach on the church steps

Ringo Starr, paused briefly on the steps of St-Martin-in-the-Fields church to wave his umbrella to acknowledge a chant of "Ringo!"

George Harrison acknowledged photographers as he hurried up the steps protected from the rain in a long hooded overcoat.

Sir Paul McCartney arrived with his family at 8.25pm, and turned briefly, giving a peace sign as the crowd cheered.

Sir Paul said of Linda's death: "I still can't believe it, but I have to because it's true"

After the service, celebrity guests left clutching bunches of lily of the valley, Linda's favourite flower, some stopping to hand them to onlookers.

Sir Paul left flanked by his four children James, Stella, Heather and Mary.

He did not speak as he left the church, but raised his bunch of flowers to acknowledge the crowds who had waited outside through the hour-and-a-quarter service, and turned to wave as he was whisked away in a silver Mercedes.

George Harrison and Ringo Starr left by separate sides of the church shortly after Sir Paul.