Mass for hoax call nurse

A mass is being held at Westminster Cathedral today for the nurse who was found dead after being duped by a prank call from two Australian radio DJs.

Mother-of-two Jacintha Saldanha was found hanging in her nurses' quarters at King Edward VII's Hospital in Paddington, by a colleague and a security guard last Friday.

The nurse transferred the DJs, believing they were the Queen and Prince of Wales, to a colleague who described in detail the condition of the Duchess of Cambridge during her hospital stay for severe pregnancy sickness.

The mass was offered "for the repose of the soul of Jacintha and her grieving family", a spokesman for the Cathedral said.

"We would hope to hold a more formal memorial after the inquest has concluded," he added.

A provisional date of March 26 has been set for the next inquest hearing.

Yesterday, after a private memorial service for Ms Saldanha at the hospital, its chief executive John Lofthouse said the nurse was reassured on a number of occasions by senior management after the hoax.

Mr Lofthouse said Ms Saldanha, who is from Bristol, was the victim of a "cruel trick", after which senior staff did not blame her and offered her time off and counselling.