A memorial service for a "one of a kind' doctor who treated patients in Chingford for almost 50 years will be held next month. 

Dr Rodney Herbert, of Churchill Medical Centre in Churchill Terrace, Chingford, died on September 30 from pulmonary fibrosis, aged 74.

The surgery will remember Dr Herbert, of High Beech in Loughton on January 16 at 1pm. 

A traditional Jewish funeral was held the day after Dr Herbert's passing.

He worked as a GP at the practice for 49 years and helped save hundreds of lives working as an emergency medical assistant at the scene of road accidents. 

Dr Herbert also taught at Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone and trained student doctors at his clinic. 

He is survived by his wife Linda, 71, daughter Tanya, 50, sons Daryl, 49, and Simeon, 42, and eight grandchildren. 

His son Daryl, an osteopath at Churchill Medical Centre, described his father as "one of a kind."

He said: "My father was cherished and loved by his Chingford community and the surrounding
areas. 

"He was known for his down to earth and ‘say it as you see it’ attitude. 

"He gave 49 years of devoted service to all his patients from babies to the elderly, many became his friends and there was a mutual respect and reciprocal feeling in return. 

"His personal insight into family generations that he had treated over the years gave him knowledge unlikely to be seen or paralleled again."