Gonzo goodbye for writer Thompson

Thompson shot himself at home in February this year

The organisers of a memorial service for writer Hunter S Thompson are to build a 150 foot-high tower from which to fire his ashes.

Actor Johnny Depp will pay for the tower to be built for the service, set to take place on 20 August.

During the ceremony, Thompson's ashes will be fired from a cannon at the top of the tower onto his Colorado ranch.

The cult author, best known for Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas, committed suicide at his home in February.

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Thompson, who was 67, had said on several occasions that he would like his ashes to be fired from a cannon after his death.

Jon Equis, the event producer working with Thompson's family to plan the memorial, said the tower will be 12 feet wide at the base and eight feet wide at the top.

It will be designed to resemble Thompson's trademark "Gonzo fist", a fist on an upthrust forearm which sometimes had Gonzo scrawled across it.

Thompson's widow Anita said that the service in August, which will be a private event, will be a celebration of the author's life. The cannon containing Thompson's ashes will be fired at sunset.

A public event to commemorate the writer's life is expected to take place at a later date.