London: Stephen Hawking's ashes will be interred in the nave of Westminster Abbey near the graves of some of the world's greatest scientists, notably Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.

Hawking, famous for his work on black holes, will be close to memorials or graves belonging to astronomers John and William Herschel, penicillin pioneer Howard Walter Florey, mathematician James Clark Maxwell and physicist Michael Faraday.

The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said: "It is entirely fitting that the remains of Professor Stephen Hawking are to be buried in the Abbey, near those of distinguished fellow scientists.

"Sir Isaac Newton was buried in the Abbey in 1727. Charles Darwin was buried beside Isaac Newton in 1882. Other famous scientists are buried or memorialised nearby...."

Rather more controversially, he added: "We believe it to be vital that science and religion work together to seek to answer the great questions of the mystery of life and of the universe."

Most scientists are reluctant to mix God and science.

There is an obvious link between Newton and Hawking - both have held the prestigious title of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge.

The interment will take place after a service of thanksgiving later this year.

Hawking died on March 14, aged 76, at his home in Cambridge. His funeral will take place at 2pm on March 31 in Great St Mary's, the University Church, just across the road from Gonville & Caius College where Prof. Hawking was a Fellow for 52 years and where the flag has been flown at half mast.