HUNDREDS of mourners are expected to gather for a memorial service for a respected Worcester bookseller.

The service to celebrate the life of Stephen Jeynes is expected to be attended by so many friends, relatives and former customers of the Christian bookshop where he was branch manager, it has now been switched to Worcester Cathedral at 3.30pm on Monday.

As reported in your Worcester News yesterday, father-of-four Mr Jeynes was found dead at his Warndon Villages home last week.

His family had planned to hold the service at Deansway’s All Saint’s Church. His widow Joy said: “We felt that the All Saints Church, although it seats 300 people, would not be big enough because as the week has gone on we have realised there may not be significant seating for those wanting to attend.

“So we were kindly offered Worcester Cathedral as an alternative.”

The Reverend Paul Swann, from All Saints Church, who will still be taking the service, said: “The reason for moving the venue to the cathedral is that we don’t have to turn anyone away. We would love for everyone who knew and loved Steve to be able to come.

“We are very grateful to the cathedral for their hospitality on this.

“There will be hymns, songs and reading, and the opportunity for people to remember Steve and celebrate his life.”

Mr Jeynes’ funeral will take place earlier in the day at Westall Park, Woodland Burial, near Redditch.

The 57-year-old from Warndon Villages is believed to have taken his own life last Thursday – two weeks after he was made redundant from the SPCK bookshop in Worcester’s High Street where he had worked for more than three years.

Two years ago the company was taken over by St Stephen the Great Charitable Trust and the shop is now called Third Space Books.

One of the owners of the shop, American businessman Mark Brewer, said: “My sorrow at Stephen’s death is inexpressibly profound, and I offer sincere condolences to his widow and children.”

Mr Jeynes leaves four children – Kate, Rachel, Andrew and Emily, and two grandchildren Ellis and Charlie.

Donations will be given to the Nadezhda Trust and flowers can be received by E Hill and Son of Pershore.