PM to bid final farewell to father

Prime Minister David Cameron is to attend the funeral of his father Ian, who died last week at the age of 77.

Mr Cameron and his wife Samantha will join other family members to say their final farewells to the father he described as "an amazing man - a real life enhancer".

His attendance at the private ceremony in Berkshire means Mr Cameron will miss Pope Benedict XVI's address to MPs in Parliament's Westminster Hall. He will meet the Pontiff for talks on Friday.

Ian Cameron died last Wednesday after suffering a stroke while on holiday with his wife Mary near the Mediterranean port of Toulon.

The Prime Minister flew to France after hearing he had fallen ill and was able to see him before he passed away.

A successful stockbroker who overcame the disability of being born with stunted legs, Mr Cameron is survived by his wife and their four children.