HUNDREDS of people attended a service yesterday to remember Gwent multi-millionaire Sir Julian Hodge, who died in July, aged 99.

The popular financier, who grew up in Pontllanfraith, died at his home in Jersey.

The memorial service was held at St Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Roath, Cardiff.

It was attended by his widow, Lady Moira Hodge, sons Robert and Jonathan and their respective families.

Robert Hodge said the church was his father's favourite.

He said: "My dad would have been very pleased to have seen so many people there, it was a beautiful service."

Mass was concelebrated by the Most Reverend Peter Smith, Archbishop of Cardiff, and priests from various parishes in the Cardiff archdiocese.

The Archbishop said: "Sir Julian was a successful man in his business and his religion, a great benefactor who was dedicated to both."

Attending were representatives of local authorities across South Wales and the Lord Lieutenant's office, as well as representatives of the National Assembly and many charitable trusts that benefited from Sir Julian's generosity.

Sir Julian was a key figure in the Argus' campaign to raise thousands of pounds for St Anne's Hospice, Gwent's only in-patient hospice. In 2001 he matched the £50,000 that was raised in our appeal.

Also attending were Sir Donald Walters, former chairman of the Conservative party, Eric Hammonds, former chairman of the Julian Hodge Bank, Michael Gwyther, former director of the Julian Hodge Bank, and representatives from St Anne's.

Family friend Howard Moore paid tribute to Sir Julian as a "greatly loved man".

He said: "He was warm and kind and was always a generous and charming man."

Lyn Mortimer, of St Anne's, said: "Sir Julian did a lot of charity work but I think he had a soft spot for St Anne's. He will be sorely missed."

Sir Julian established the Julian Hodge Bank and became one of the wealthiest men in Wales, amassing a personal fortune of £50m.

In memory of his late mother, he set up the Jane Hodge Foundation, one of the largest charitable foundations in Britain.

He was knighted in 1970 for his part in developing a Bank of Wales and breaking the dominance of London on the finance market.