THE family of hero firefighter James Shears have pledged to give him the biggest send-off they can at his funeral tomorrow.

They have extended an open invitation to as many people as possible to come and pay their respects.

And as they want it to be a celebration of the married father-of-two’s life, they have requested that people wear bright colours.

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James, 35, who served with the Red Watch crew at St Mary’s fire station, died alongside colleague Alan Bannon, 38, while battling a fire on the ninth floor at Shirley Towers on April 6.

Together they sacrificed their lives helping to save others during the blaze that saw more than 100 residents evacuated and no members of the public injured. James’ dad Ed Shears, 62, said that everyone would be welcome to tomorrow’s service, whether they knew James or not, and he hoped that hundreds would attend.

“We want the church to be packed out,” he said. “He had lots of school friends, university friends, people he knew through judo and from when he worked as a postman.

“We would love to give him the biggest send-off we can.”

The funeral service of James, who lived in Poole with his wife Carla and sons Frankie, aged five, and Ruben, aged four, will take place at St George’s Church, Darby’s Lane, Oakdale, Poole at 11am.

The funeral cortege will leave James’ family home in Oakdale just before 10am before passing Poole fire station, where a salute of honour will take place. Together, Hampshire and Dorset firefighters and the public will line the route down Dorset Way and along Johnston Road at 10.15am.

Former St Mary’s station manager Stewart Adamson will lead the funeral cortege down Johnston Road to St George’s Church at 10.30am.

The funeral service at 11am will last for about one hour and will be followed by a committal service, at which all are welcome. Seating inside the church will be reserved for family, friends and work colleagues.

However, to accommodate the expected crowds there will be a video screen relaying the service to the church hall.

There will also be audio speakers outside the church broadcasting the service.

A field next to the church will be available for parking.

James’ parents and wife Carla all attended Alan Bannon’s funeral in Southampton on Tuesday.

A special memorial service organised by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service will be held for both men in July.