ARMY veterans are hoping for a good send-off for a former serviceman who has died with no remaining family.

Royal Welch Fusiliers (RWF) veteran George Formstone, of Ruabon, died on January 9.

He left no family which has led to a public appeal being made to ensure there are mourners to attend his funeral later this week.

A tweet sent out by Forces Leavers Organisation Wales (FLOW.Wales) – a community website to support the delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant in North Wales – asks: "Are you able to attend funeral of George Formstone, a RWF veteran, at Plas Acton Cemetery in Wrexham on Thursday, January 31, at 10.30am.

"He died at home in Ruabon on January 9, age 81 with no family to attend funeral.

"#finaljourney #armedforces."

Janette Williams, Armed Forces liaison officer for North East Wales, said: "We used the Twitter account for FLOW.Wales to send out the message and the response has been phenomenal.

"I have had over 800 shares on my personal Facebook and it has been retweeted all over the country.

"It is what we set up the site for – to bring service people together.

"I would hope that if there are any surviving family, they see the press coverage and get in touch."

Born in Hope, Mr Formstone served in the Royal Welch Fusiliers during the 1950s and was deployed in Cyprus and Germany during his service.

He became a member of the Prince Albert Angling Society in 1981, a popular and prestigious fishing club based in Cheshire, and remained a member until he died at his home in Ruabon on January 9.

Mr Formstone was said to be very was well liked in his local pub The Bridge End Inn.

Landlord Peter McGivern said: "Despite George having no known family, he was a very well-liked member of the Ruabon community.

"He had many friends, many acquaintances who all loved him, and they have said they will be at the funeral on Thursday."

A group of regulars are organising the ceremony which will take place at Plas Acton Cemetery on Thursday at 10.30am.

There will be speeches and the last post will be played by a bugler organised by RWF.

The coffin will also be draped in a Union Jack flag.