Stars from the James Bond films are to pay their last respects to actor Desmond Llewelyn at a special memorial service.

The 85-year-old, who played eccentric inventor Q in all but two of the Bond movies, will be remembered at St Paul's Church in Knightsbridge, central London on 27 March.

Actor Roger Moore has said he hopes to attend the service while organisers hope Dame Judi Dench, who played M in the last three Bond films, will also join him.

However, 007 stars Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan are unlikely to be able to make it.

A spokeswoman for Bond production company Eon said: "Unfortunately our indications are that most of the Bonds themselves will be unable to attend because of other commitments.

"Roger has said he will try to be there, but Timothy and Pierce are both out of the country filming, and Sean is abroad too," she said.

She added that the service would be "fairly low-key", with other Bond cast and crew members, and Llewelyn's close friends and family making up most of the congregation.

Head-on crash

Llewelyn died in a head-on collision on the A27 near Firle, East Sussex, on 19 December.

He had been on his way to sign copies of his biography at Drusillas Zoo Park, Alfriston.

Llewelyn was airlifted to Eastbourne District General Hospital after being cut free from the wreckage of his car, but later died of massive internal injuries.

His funeral took place in January at St Mary's Church in Battle.

At the time, his 50-year-old son Ivor promised a larger-scale memorial service later in the year.