Sir Harry became a household name as a member of the Goons

A memorial service will be held in the church where the comedian, singer and TV presenter first performed as a young chorister, and a plaque will be unveiled outside the building.

It will be the first permanent tribute to him in Swansea.

Family, friends and former colleagues will then attend a charity lunch in honour of the former Goon.

He came into the choir quite young and was there until his voice broke Sir Harry's brother Fred

Sir Harry's brother Fred, who sang alongside the comic at St Thomas's Church in the Eastside area of the city, said he was pleased the service was being held there.

"He was quite a character," he told BBC News Online.

"He was also a very good chorister. He came into the choir quite young and was there until his voice broke.

"It was just boys at the time - girls in a choir were unheard of."

Following Sir Harry's death in April 2001 a thanksgiving service was held at Westminster Abbey with Prince Charles and stars including Ronnie Corbett, Eric Sykes, Jimmy Tarbuck and Michael Parkinson paying their respects.

At the time it was decided to hold a smaller tribute to him in Swansea, but organiser David Graham, of the Heritage Foundation, said it had taken time to find a suitable date.

It also follows a campaign by the city's evening paper for a long-lasting tribute to Sir Harry in Swansea.

Mr Graham said: "We have now fixed a date which is 27 March.

"There will be a small memorial service at the church where he first appeared as a chorister.

"A plaque will be unveiled outside the church and there will be a charity lunch as well."

Sir Harry's widow, Lady Myra, will attend along with local celebrities.

"We are still making arrangements but I know Philip Madoc will be travelling down with me," added Mr Graham.

Born in St Thomas in 1921, Sir Harry became a household name after teaming up with Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Michael Bentine to create the Goon Show.

His film appearances included the musical Oliver and he had a number two hit single with If I Ruled the World.

In 1981 he was awarded a knighthood, and in 1983 he began filming the religious television series Highway which he presented for more than a decade.