"GOD Bless You Ma'am" -- one of dozens of messages in a book of condolence which summed up East Lancashire's grief over the death of the Queen Mother.

Mourners flocked to Blackburn Cathedral yesterday as news of the 101-year-old's peaceful death began to sink in.

Led by the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen, Couns John and Sheila Williams, they began writing touching tributes to Her Majesty.

Young and old also lit candles at the back of the Cathedral as the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters, took the unprecedented step of changing part of his Easter sermon to pay tribute to the the Queen Mother.

Flags on public buildings are expected to fly at half mast until the day of the funeral, while books of condolence will be opened at town halls throughout East Lancashire when they re-open tomorrow.

The book of condolence was opened at Blackburn Cathedral shortly before the start of the Easter Communion.

By the end of yesterday, there were dozens of messages. The book will be sent to Buckingham Palace ahead of the funeral.

One said: "Thank you for a life of thought and duty" while Blackburn with Darwen mayoress Sheila Williams wrote: "You will be remembered forever for your loving devotion to this nation."

The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters led the tributes and said: "She led a wonderful life and was a wonderful lady.

"The fact that she lived for so long can only serve to make the loss even greater for her family. She was held in tremendous regard by so many people.

"She wasn't born a royal but she was always regal."

Bishop of Burnley the Rt Rev John Goddard said: "I would like to record with gratitude a life given to the service of this nation. Her character is built on the Christian faith. She has always tried to live out that pattern of service to which Christ calls us. When I've seen her on things I've had a feeling of graciousness about her life and the way she's handled people.

"Our thoughts are for the Queen and the royal family. In our service today we prayed for the repose of her soul and the royal family." Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: "I have written to Buckingham Palace to express sympathy on behalf of my constituents from the Ribble Valley and Fulwood. She was a wonderful woman, best remembered for her efforts in raising spirits during the Second World War.

"Her contribution to our country has been magnificent and my thoughts are prayers are with the Queen." Burnley MP Peter Pike met the Queen Mother once in the 1960s.

He said: "She was a remarkable woman who led a remarkable life.

"I can remember the war and the boost she gave Burnley when she visited shortly afterwards." Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Coun John Williams, said: "Both myself and the mayoress remember the wonderful example she set during the war which encouraged us all to keep on going. It is a terribly sad loss. She epitomised everything that is great about Britain and carried out her duties with a sense of dignity and pride which I will remember forever." Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Bill Taylor heard the news about the Queen Mother's death while holidaying in Nerja, Spain.

He said: "It is very sad to think that a woman who has been Queen Mother my entire life is now dead. She was a wonderful example of how we all should be."

Speaking on behalf of Blackburn's Muslim community, local councillor Hussain Akhtar said: "She is not only the Queen Mother but the country's mother.

"She had a long life but we are all very sad that she has died. The Asian community is feeling very sad at the moment because she looked out for us all.

"We are really upset."

Burnley's mayor Jack Alston said: "I'm nearly 70 so I was at school when she was Queen. I think you could call her woman of the century. She seemed to bring some stableness into the Windsor family.

"You wouldn't have expected her to live so long. I think she's respected all over the world.

"She was with us during the war and I remember those days very well. A lot of people will reflect on her as one of the real royals. There's a sadness but it's passing time.

"People will be sad and reflect on it even if they're not keen on the royals."

Rossendale mayor Jimmy Grogan said: "I think she will be very sadly missed. She was like an ambassador for everyone. She was a wonderful lady.

"I never met her. We were at Buckingham Palace and did see the Queen but not the Queen Mother.

"I should imagine the racing fraternity will miss her very much. She will be missed at the big race meetings."

Ribble Valley mayor Gwen Pye said she was deeply saddened.

She said: "She has been such a mainstay in this country. She has done so much for this country and for her to die is very sad."

Pendle mayor Colin Waite said: "I think it's a great loss to the nation as she is considered the grandmother of the nation.

"I think people will remember the many years of service she gave to the country and her family. A lot of people will remember during the war years the help she gave to the King."

Prayers were said during the Easter services at churches across East Lancashire.

Captain Janet Potts of Barnoldswick's Salvation Army said members yesterday held a minute's silence before their Easter service and had 15 minutes of prayer for the royal family.

The Salvation Army will open a book of condolences at its Barnoldswick centre on St James Road.

Similar books will also be opened at town halls throughout the area when they re-open on Tuesday.

A message of sympathy will also be sent to Buckingham Palace by the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen on behalf of residents in the borough.

In Hyndburn, council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "So many people will be saddened by this because she touched so many lives."

Teams playing in the Blackburn Sunday League held a minute's silence before their games yesterday.