Leading figures from the worlds of cricket and the arts gave thanks at a memorial Mass for the life of the billionaire philanthropist Sir Paul Getty yesterday.

The family of the American-born recluse, including his sons John Paul III, who was kidnapped in the Seventies, Mark and Tara, gathered at London's Westminster Cathedral for the Roman Catholic service.

The congregation included associates of the late Sir Paul, who donated millions of pounds to good causes. Among them were Lady Thatcher, Lord Attenborough, the film actor and director, and acclaimed ex-cricketers.

Sir Paul was known for his love of the game and for his appreciation of all things British. He was knighted in the Eighties and became a British citizen in 1997 after 20 years in the country.

Sir Paul, whose wealth derived from his family's oil fortune, died in hospital in April, aged 70, while being treated for a chest infection.

His donations included £50 million to the National Gallery, £20 million to the British Film Institute and £2 million for the new Mound Stand at Lord's cricket ground. He also handed over funds to the families of striking miners and to the Conservative Party.

A number of Tory politicians past and present joined the guests, including Lord Heseltine, the former deputy prime minister, Iain Duncan Smith, the Tory leader, and Michael Howard, the shadow chancellor.

The queue to enter the cathedral meant that guests including the broadcasters Jeremy Paxman and Michael Parkinson, were forced to wait in line to take their seats.

Among former England cricketers and other figures from the game who turned out to pay their respects were Chris Cowdrey, Tom Graveney, Mike Gatting, Micky Stewart, Fred Trueman, Phil Edmonds and Clive Lloyd, the former West Indies captain.

Other guests included Tom Stoppard, the author, Sir Edward Fox, the actor, and Marie Helvin, the model.

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