BLACKPOOL and Fylde residents are recalling bygone times and paying their own tributes to the Queen Mother who visited the Fylde Coast four times in her life.

Her first trip to Blackpool -- which she described as "a wonderful place" -- was in1938 with her husband King George V1 just two years after he was crowned.

"This must have caused real excitement in pre-television times as, apart from newspapers, it would have been the first glimpse local people had of their king and queen," says Blackpool Mayor Coun Sue Wright.

In 1952, Beryl Braithwaite of Knowsley Crescent, Weeton, was a child when Queen Elizabeth accompanied by the King and a young Princess Margaret drove along Garstang Road on their way to visit farms in the Duchy of Lancaster.

"I was excited at the thought of seeing a real queen and princess," she said. "The whole village turned out and I stood on the pavement waving a union jack flag as the car went past."

Beryl also had a fleeting glance of the Queen Mother dressed in pale blue as her car drove through Weeton village in 1972 for the inspection of the 1st Battalion the King's Regiment at Weeton.

"I think it's sad she didn't live to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee," added Beryl. "But she'll be remembered as a role model and a feisty lady who did an excellent job for the country. It's a pity that some of the younger ones haven't followed her fine example."

The Queen Mother also came to Blackpool in 1956 for a National Union of Teachers' charity presentation ceremony at the Opera House.

During her stay she signed the Blackpool Town Hall visitors' book and, as she wrote in a letter to former Mayor Charles Dunn, "This trip brought back happy memories".

Fylde Mayor Coun Pat Fieldhouse believes the Queen Mother's visits to the Fylde were an inspiration to the residents -- particularly the older folk in the area who grew up with her.

"She was a true ambassador for the country and the Commonwealth and she never let her standards down," she said.

"I've heard some local people describe her as 'a grandmother to us all'."

The Bishop of Blackburn the Rt Rev Alan Chesters also paid a personal tribute to the late royal saying: "Her Majesty the Queen Mother will be greatly missed.

"From the days of the Second World War, when she was such a support to her husband, King George VI, she has set an outstanding example of dedication to duty and public service, which continued until her death, although many would have retired from such work much earlier.

"The Queen Mother had a zest for life and a particular gift for making those whom she met feel very special.

"Her deep Christian faith helped her to meet with courage the tragic times, both in the life of her family and of the nation.

"The people of the Diocese of Blackburn extend their deep sympathy to Her Majesty the Queen and her family in their loss."