Stephen Hawking memorial: Stars including Benedict Cumberbatch and Brian Cox join public to celebrate scientist's life

Stars from the worlds of science and showbiz have celebrated the life of Stephen Hawking in a service at Westminster Abbey.

Benedict Cumberbatch, David Walliams and TV scientist Brian Cox joined members of the public to celebrate the life of the renowned physicist.

Professor Hawking's voice was being beamed into space, towards the nearest black hole, as his ashes were interred following the service of thanksgiving.

The late scientist's words were set to an original piece of music, composed by Vangelis, offering a message of peace and hope.

Professor Hawking's children expressed their gratitude to Westminster Abbey for allowing their father to have a "distinguished" final resting place between the graves of Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.

The broadcast in space took place following a service featuring readings from Cumberbatch, who played the physicist in a BBC drama, and astronaut Tim Peake.

An address was also given by Astronomer Royal Martin Rees, while Professor Hawking's collaborator and Nobel prize winner Kip Thorne gave a tribute.

One thousand members of the public, from more than 100 countries, were offered the opportunity to attend the thanksgiving service after a ballot attracted 25,000 applications for tickets.

They were welcomed to the abbey in central London by volunteers from the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Paralympic Games.

Professor Hawking, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in his 20s, died aged 76 on March 14.

A private funeral was held in Cambridge later that month.