Hundreds of mourners are expected to pay their last respects today at the funeral of a Royal Navy officer shot dead on a nuclear submarine.

Lieutenant Commander Ian Molyneux, from Standish, Wigan, a father of four, died after being shot during an incident on board HMS Astute when it was docked in Southampton on April 8.

Lt Cdr Molyneux died from his wounds on board the vessel.

Today his family are expected to be joined by Royal Navy colleagues of the weapons engineer along with hundreds of mourners for the funeral service in his home town of Wigan.

Lt Cdr Molyneux's large, closely knit family, have opted for a Service funeral with military honours.

His widow Gillian and their four children, Jamie, 13, Arron, 12, Bethany, six, and three-year-old Charlie, will lead mourners at the Requiem Mass service at Sacred Heart Church in Wigan.

A spokesman for the Royal Navy said owing to the ''immense popularity'' of Lt Cdr Molyneux there is expected to be a ''very significant'' show of support for his family at the funeral.

The 36-year-old had been heavily involved in the local junior amateur rugby league scene, coaching youngsters at the local Shevington Sharks club.

Chaplain Andrew McFadden, Royal Navy, and Father Andrew Jolly will conduct the funeral service, starting at midday, which will be followed by a private burial and family wake.

The shooting took place as local dignitaries, were being given a tour of the submarine, based at Faslane, Scotland, while it was berthed at the Eastern Docks on a five-day official visit to Southampton.

Able Seaman Ryan Donovan, 22, of Hillside Road, Dartford, Kent, has been remanded in custody charged with the murder of Lt Cdr Molyneux.

He has also been charged with the attempted murders of Petty Officer Christopher Brown, Chief Petty Officer David McCoy and Lieutenant Commander Christopher Hodge.