Comic genius Spike Milligan has finally got his dying wish.

The creator of the Goons wanted a headstone on his grave bearing the words: "I told you I was ill".

For more than two years since his death at 83, his grave remained unmarked, though his family always denied a dispute was to blame.

A praying angel originally placed by his son James Milligan, 27, and James' mother Margaret Maughan first marked his final resting place at St Thomas' Church in Winchelsea, near Rye.

It was later removed and replaced by a wooden cross with the word Spike on it.

That in turn was taken away and the angel put back in place.

His widow, Shelagh Milligan, is thought to have asked Chichester Diocese to approve the words Spike wanted on his tombstone.

It has finally been put in place by stonemasons who arrived without warning at the churchyard.

Spike's epitaph was written beneath the Celtic cross in Gaelic, to overcome church objections.

The now famous inscription reads: "Duirt me leat go raibh me breoite".

Above it are the words "love, light and peace" and his full name, Terence Alan (Spike) Milligan.

The church's priest, the Venerable Fred George, said: "It is fitting Spike has finally got his wish. So many people enjoyed his humour and we are pleased the long wait he had is finally over.

"I have spoken to his family regularly about the headstone and we have had quite a few people asking about where his grave is."

Spike lived at Udimore, near Rye, and had three children with his first wife, June Marlow, and one with second wife Patricia Ridgeway.

He married Shelagh in 1983.