Dame Anita Roddick died of a brain haemorrhage aged 64

Over 1,500 people attended the service at Westminster Central Hall in central London, on what would have been Dame Anita's 65th birthday.

Actor Alan Rickman said she was "the human equivalent of a flag, a klaxon, a torch, a flare, an alarm clock".

Speeches were made by friends of Dame Anita as well as business colleagues and her fellow activists.

'Gut instinct'

Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, told invited guests: "Anita's lasting gift will be to inspire future generations of activists to stand up, speak out, and act together to make the world a better and fairer place."

Dame Anita's husband Gordon added: "She never lost hope or stamina, always trusting her gut instinct."

The service comes on the first I AM AN ACTIVIST day, launched in Dame Anita's name to inspire campaigners in the fields of peace, human rights, climate change, homelessness, trade justice and women's rights.