England mourns Queen Mother

People warmed to the royal with the common touch

Books of condolence have opened across England as people gather to pay their last respects to the Queen Mother.

The tributes show that, whatever problems beset the Royal Family, the whole country supported "the nation's favourite grandmother".

People throughout the country have also been sending their memories of the Queen Mother's public life to the BBC.

Those attending church services have taken part in special prayers to commemorate her life and achievements.

She was credited with inventing the walkabout

In Yorkshire, religious leaders have come together to share their feelings.

Kare Mohammed Ismail, Sheffield Imam and member of the United Mosque Council, said: "She was loved by everyone in the Islamic community, for her kindness and her great service to the country and the community."

Jonathan Golumb, Rabbi for Sheffield and South Yorkshire, said: "She represented everything the Royal Family should be. People look to her as everything British."

These sentiments have been echoed by the general public who always retained a positive image of the Queen Mother.

Judith Watkinson from Eccleshill, west Yorkshire said: "She was the backbone of the Royal Family. [She] could mix with the general public, and was at ease with commoners."

There is nobody who can take her place

Joan, Sidmouth

Richard Halton sent a message to the BBC's Three Counties website relaying a conversation he had with the Queen Mother at a performance of the musical 'Showboat' in 1991.

"What was amazing was that she attended the premiere of the same show in this country back in 1925. A very humbling experience for me."

In Devon people also remembered someone who has been a constant image throughout the 20th Century.

The then Queen tours east London

Joan from Sidmouth has written to the BBC Devon website saying: "She was such a lovely lady with a sense of fun - there is nobody who can take her place."

Susan Town from Blundellsands on Merseyside said: "The Queen Mother was able to retain her popularity throughout her life because she carried herself and behaved exactly as a member of the Royal Family should."

Those words won support from a man who has scrutinised the royals more than most in recent years.

Biographer Andrew Morton said: "The passing of the Queen mother is the end of an era.

"She exemplified traditional virtues of royalty, a sense of mystique, a sense of mystery, but also that human touch."