PEOPLE from all walks of life paid their respects to the Queen Mother this week as the district came to a standstill.

Both Kidderminster's main shopping centres, the Rowland Hill Centre and the Swan Centre, observed the two-minute silence at 11.30am on Tuesday as shops closed their doors. "Everybody stood still. There was no movement, not even the children," said a Swan Centre spokeswoman. Shoppers stand in silence in Kidderminster town

centre on Tuesday morning.

Stourport's traders also marked the passing of an era. "All shops closed for a time," said Russell Hinton, chairman of the Stourport Business Association. "The majority closed for two minutes but a few closed for an hour.

"It was left to people to decide for themselves but everybody took part in some little way."

And the owners of Bewdley's oldest business, although admitting public grief had not been on the same scale as after Princess Diana's death, said there was "respect" for the Royal Family's matriarch.

"People are sad but they are not upset," explained Caroline Timmis, who owns Load Street hardware shop RG Timmis with her husband Guy.

"People in our shop did observe a two-minute silence and some shops closed for an hour but it was mixed. There was no particular guidance."

Schools were still on Easter holiday but silence descended on Kidderminster College, Hoo Road, with many staff and students watching the funeral on TV.

Marketing officer Debbie Living said: "We had an area set up in the college where staff and children were able to go and watch it, and I believe it was popular."

Firefighters at Kidderminster Fire Station, Castle Road, stood to attention in full uniform in front of the station as 11.30am struck and then doffed their caps to observe the two-minute silence. Two off-duty firefighters joined their six colleagues on parade. Church warden Alan Taylor lights a candle in memory of the Queen Mother at St Mary's Church, Kidderminster.

Pubs that marked the occasion included Kidderminster's Tap House on Worcester Street. "We were shut all day as a mark of respect," said head barman James Taylor. "I think we would have done the same for other Royals but because it was the Queen Mother it did mean a lot more."

And the Railway Bell, Comberton Hill, Kidderminster, sported flags and a photo of the Queen Mother as a child.

"We decorated the windows," said Bill Campbell, the landlord. "She had a wonderful life."