The heartbroken family of a former Queen's Guard and head groundsman at Guards Polo Club who died after contacting the Corona virus can not attend his funeral - because of Government restrictions.

Vic Diamond, 74, served as a Corporal of Horse in the Household Cavalry - joining the army in 1966 and serving for 24 years including periods in Northern Ireland, Germany and Singapore, before becoming head groundsman at the prestigious Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park.

His grandson Taylor Williams, 19 said: "He had battled with Alzheimer’s and dementia for many years, so we always expected to lose him to that awful disease but he contracted COVID19 and fought for over a week, a fighter till the very end.

"We couldn’t be with him, he had to die alone, breaking our hearts that we can’t give him the send off that he deserves due to government restrictions. We can’t say goodbye as a family."

Vic left 11 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Taylor, who is a trainee manager with the footwear retailing company Schuh, will not able to attend the funeral at Slough Crematorium on April 28 because of the restrictions but he has launched a fundraising campaign to raise £2,000 for a memorial service to be held when the current lockdown ends.

He is organising the appeal through the GoFundMe company which specialises in helping people raise money for treasured projects.

He said: "We would like to plan a memorial service to celebrate him and his life as a Dad, Granda and Great Granda, his Army Career and his role as a friend to many people and to honour everything he did for others."

Taylor has fond memories of the grandad who organised football tournaments saying: "He was very kind, a caring person always telling jokes. All his grandchildren loved him. He loved quad bike and his dogs and horses - and he would do anything to help other people."

Almost half the money for a memorial service has already been raised - donations can be made by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/f/1yu5nqhydc