TRIBUTES will be paid to two leading figures in south Shropshire life at church services this weekend.

Helen Osborne, wife of playwright John Osborne will be buried at Clun's St George's Church next to her husband.

Mrs Osborne went to The Hurst at Clun in 1986 and last year her home was opened as a centre for the Arvon Foundation which provides courses in creative writing for students from Britain and overseas.

Her funeral on Saturday is to be quiet and anybody wishing to attend should first contact Ed Collier at The Hurst on 01588 640658.

Donations in lieu of flowers should be made to the Injured Jockeys Fund.

The memorial service for the late Sir Hugh Ripley, 4th Baronet of Bedstone and Rawden, takes place at Bedstone Church tomorrow (Friday).

The ashes of the war hero and sporting gent will be placed on the altar and then scattered in the grounds of the Bedstone estate by his son, Sir William.

Brought up in the Marches and educated at Eton, Sir Hugh was a fine horseman, fisherman and shot. During the Second World War he single-handedly blew up four German tanks.

In keeping with his love for his country, Parry's Jerus-alem, Men of Harlech and Cwm Rhondda will feature in what is expected to be a stirring service and tribute to an extraordinary man.