AFFECTIONATE tributes have been paid to the Queen Mother across Wyre Forest.

For more than a week hundreds of people have signed books of condolence in Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley - with most appreciation being expressed at Kidderminster's Town Hall.

"There's been a really good turn out," said civic halls officer Gordon Farmer. "There's close to 30 pages - all 'God bless you' and 'what a wonderful lady' as well as longer tributes. Someone wrote three paragraphs."

Damian Watts, Stourport Sports Centre manager, said its book of condolences had been signed by "staff and public alike".

People using Kidderminster's Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre have also seized the opportunity to pay their respects to a woman born in the reign of Queen Victoria.

"We've had quite a few people who have been into the centre who have written comments," said duty manager Simon Blackadder.

Bewdley's Guildhall also provided people, young and old, with the chance to put thoughts into writing. "We've had a couple of children here by the look of the writing," said tourist information assistant Julie Gregory.

All five books will remain for people to sign until tomorrow. They will then be amalgamated into one, bound and sent to Buckingham Palace with a letter from Wyre Forest District Council.