A PENWORTHAM family will be among those lining the route as the Queen Mother's coffin is carried from the Queen's chapel, in St James's Palace to Westminster Hall to lie in state until the evening of Monday April 8.

Tony and Carole Green and their 15-year-old daughter Debbie are in London for a week, visiting famous sights including Buckingham Palace where a trail of flowers stretches half a mile down the road in memory of HM the Queen Mother.

Carole, 40, said: "We were all very shocked and saddened so we decided to attend the parade on Friday."

Tony, 51, said: "They are expecting up to 2,000 troops to attend and members of the Royal family including Princess Anne, it is an historic occasion."

Debbie, a pupil at Penwortham Girls County High on Cop Lane, believes she is witnessing an historic event, she said: "All the shops are flying flags at half mast and the Queen Mother was like a grandmother figure it is very sad.

"I'll be learning about history, she lived for a long time and she liked the Brownies and Guides, she did a lot of good things, I can try and understand what it is like to be a royal."

The funeral will take place in Westminster Abbey on Tuesday April 9, the royal ceremonial funeral service will begin at 11.30am.