DAME Maggie Smith was among the distinguished stage and film stars who paid tribute to Farnworth-born actor Frank Finlay.

Family and friends attended a memorial service in London to celebrate the former St Gregory the Great pupil’s life and work last Thursday.

Mr Finlay, who began his acting career at Farnworth Little Theatre, died in January last year, aged 89, at his home in Weybridge.

Those at the service at Corpus Christi Church in Covent Garden also included Dame Maggie Smith, Zoe Wanamaker, and Larry Lamb.

Mr Finlay’s family — his son Daniel, daughter Cathy, and his six grandchildren — were all in attendance.

In a career spanning over 60 years, the actor graced stage and screen as one of Britain’s most revered performers. He received Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for his portrayal of Iago opposite Laurence Olivier’s Othello in 1965.

Other highlights of his career include his roles in The Three Musketeers alongside Oliver Reed, Roman Polanski’s The Pianist, and his television roles in Casanova and Bouquet of Barbed Wire.

Mr Finlay was a devout Catholic and Vice President of the Catholic Association of Performing Arts (CaAPA).

Eulogies were delivered by his son and by actor Nickolas Grace, and the lessons were read by Dame Maggie and Frank Comerford, vice-president of the CaAPA.