THE residents of a small North-East parish have sent a special message of sympathy to Buckingham Palace over the death of the Queen Mother.

Studley Royal Estate, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, which includes Fountains Abbey, was home to the Queen Mother on private and official visits throughout her life.

The estate was once owned by the Vyner family, and the late Lady Doris Vyner was a bridesmaid at the Queen Mother's wedding.

Fountains Parish Council chairman Derrick Slater said the message of sympathy to the Queen would recall the happy, carefree days her mother spent on the estate.

Mr Slater said: "She represented something that this country has lost forever."

Eighty-year-old Lucy Bonner, who has lived at Studley all her life, recalled that villagers often saw the Queen Mother in casual dress taking in the beauty of the gardens at Studley Royal.

"She always had a word for estate workers and became known as a very friendly person who liked to talk to people."

Elsewhere in the region, the National Trust is planning to close its properties next Tuesday to mark the Queen Mother's funeral - with one notable exception.

Gibside, near Gateshead, which was built by the Queen Mother's ancestors, will stay open, free of charge, for people wanting to visit for quiet contemplation.

The Queen Mother had been president of the National Trust since 1953 and flags are already flying at half mast at its sites throughout the North-East.

All magistrates' courts in County Durham and Darlington will also stay closed on Tuesday as a mark of respect.

Since the announcement of the Queen Mother's death on Saturday, people have been adding their thoughts about her life to condolence books around the region.

A book has been opened at St Mary's Catholic Cathedral, in Newcastle, and a mass will be held on Sunday, at 11.30am.

Sedgefield Borough Council has opened a book of condolence at the council offices in Green Lane, Spennymoor. People can also sign the book at www.sedgefield.gov.uk

Consett Civic Centre, in Medomsley Road, has a book available in the foyer, as does Derwentside District Council offices in Front Street, Stanley.

Sedgefield's mayor and the mayor of Spennymoor have both cancelled engagements to attend a service at St David's Church, Tudhoe, at 7pm tonight.

Father Dermot Burke, the Catholic priest for the area, will attend the service which will hear music from the New College Durham Choir.

On Sunday, prayers will be said at Durham Cathedral at 3.30pm, while a thanksgiving service is planned in York Minster on Thursday, April 18, when the Duke of York is expected to attend.

St Helen's Church, in St Helen Auckland, near Bishop Auckland, is holding a mass tomorrow, at 7.30pm.