Clergymen hope a memorial service planned for bereaved relatives affected by the organ retention scandal will help bring the emotion-charged time to an end.

The Bishop of Oxford, the Right Rev Richard Harries will be at the event at Dorchester Abbey, near Wallingford, and will speak to families who discovered their loved-ones' body parts were taken by doctors after their deaths.

About 1,400 people made inquiries after it was revealed in January 2001 that staff at the John Radcliffe Hospital kept human tissue without consent.

They were all surveyed by Canon Nick Fennemore head of chaplaincy at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust, and asked if they would like a memorial service.

As a result, Mr Fennemore organised the event for Sunday, March 14, incorporating suggestions and wishes made by families. The service will take place between 3pm and 4pm.

He said: "We have been planning this service for some time and hope it will help to bring closure to those who have been involved in the often emotionally difficult issues surrounding retained organs."

Legacy Faborio a support group set up for relatives affected by organ retention, has welcomed the event.

Secretary Sharon Murrant said: "We're very pleased that the hospital has offered to do this.

"Quite a few families have said it would be nice and useful, so anything that helps we are grateful for."

The service follows a High Court compensation battle brought by 2,140 families, who are suing the NHS for retaining their loved-ones' organs without consent.

The case finished on Monday, February 16, but judge Mr Justice Gage has reserved judgment and is due to make a decision in the next few weeks.