THE family of a steeplejack killed in a chimney explosion are to hold a memorial service a year after he died.

Craig Whelan, 23, died when a fireball engulfed the 150ft chimney he was helping demolish at a factory near Bolton, South Tyneside, last May.

The accident, the cause of which is being investigated by police, also claimed the life of father-of-two Paul Wakefield, 40, from Nottingham.

Mr Whelan, originally from Crook, County Durham, had been due to marry fiancee Jill Wallace.

The couple had a daughter Katie, now aged four, and were starting a new life in Nottingham.

He remained in close contact with family and friends in his home town, who will remember him with a service in Crook, County Durham, this month.

His mother, Linda Whelan, 47, said: "It will be a year since my son's death, and we wanted to do something so family and friends can really get together and remember Craig. We all just miss him so much."

Mrs Whelan was in the process of setting up a business, Unique Home Care, when the accident happened.

She said: "I set up this business a month before Craig died and I put everything into building it up.

"Craig helped and supported me before the business got off the ground. He was so proud of it and it's just a pity he didn't live long enough to see it thriving."

Mr Whelan had two older brothers, Darren, 28, and Dean, 27, and a younger brother Chris, 12.

Mrs Whelan said: "Chris hasn't coped well at all. They were so close, Craig was like a dad to him and he's been struggling in a lot of ways."

Mr Whelan's family made the trip to Bolton earlier this year to watch the chimney being demolished, after which a two-minute silence was observed.

The memorial service will be held in St Catherine's Church, Crook, on Saturday, May 24, at 1pm, followed by a buffet at the Horse Shoe pub.

Mrs Whelan can be contacted on (01388) 745967.

Two men, aged 56 and 38, who were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter have been bailed until May 15.