FORMER Romsey-based Olympic athlete Todd Bennett's funeral will be held this Thursday (July 25).

A service for family and close friends only will be held at Southampton Crematorium at 11.45am. This will be followed by a special service in Romsey Abbey to celebrate Todd's life. The service begins at 2pm and the public is welcome to attend.

Parking will be available at Romsey School where Todd was a pupil in his younger days.

Todd died aged 51 after a short battle with cancer. In the 1980s he became well-known on the athletics tracks running at major championships for team GB.

Todd's biggest triumphs on the track were in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games where he won a silver medal in the 4x400metre relay and he scooped a gold medal in the 4x400metre relay in the 1982 British Commonwealth Games at Brisbane.

Todd leaves behind his wife Vanessa and the couple's two children.