Michelle Wilson, 25, of Darlington: It's always sad when someone dies, but with the Royal Family you think you know them personally.

Lily Watson, of Cockerton, Darlington:I think it's very sad, I really do. She was lovely, charming. She was regal.

Retired labourer and seaman Joseph Kelly, 67, from Middlesbrough: I will miss her because she has been around all the time I have. She was like a Vera Lynn, A lot looked up to her during the war, particularly those in London. She was the last of the Churchill spirit. Now they have all gone.

Andy Brown, 38, of Newton Aycliffe: It's a shame, but she's had quite a long life and she's been a brilliant ambassador for the country.

Ayresome Junior School pupil Josephine Fawcett, ten: I feel quite sad because she was the mother of the Queen. She liked to make people feel happy when they felt sad. She was kind and nice.

Grandmother Jean Rainbow, 59, of Stanley, County Durham: I think she has been a good person for Britain and she will be missed. In her own way she has tried to keep the royals together. She has had to put up with a lot in her lifetime.

Mother-of-two Karen Clare, 35, of Middlesbrough: I think this was expected at her age. People liked her because she was gutsy and would not let anyone help her. She was determined to do things herself. I did like her and felt she gave a lot.

Tracy Jackson, a mother of four from Middlesbrough: I liked her. She seemed caring to ordinary people like us. She related to ordinary people. One hundred and one is a fair age and she may be the last of her kind.

Joanne Humphries, 19, from Darlington: Out of all the royals, I think she was my favourite and it's sad that she's died.

Stephanie Myers, 23, from Stockton: It is sad, though not unexpected. I think she was caring and she was around for such a long time. Everybody was used to seeing her there, on the television and at events. She certainly seemed like a nice person