A sombre crowd gathered in the centre of Bolton as the town's civic dignitaries, including deputy Mayor, Cllr Alan Wilkinson, gathered on the Town Hall steps at 11.30am as a maroon -- a firework which makes a sound like a cannon -- was set off to mark the start of the funeral service in London.

A two-minute silence then took place followed by another maroon and prayers for the Queen Mother given by the vicar of Bolton Canon Michael Williams.

He spoke of the Queen Mother's loyalty and tireless sense of duty and how he hoped others would follow her example.

The Rev Williams said: "She represented something in the 20th century which I hope we will strive to continue in the 21st century -- a sense of peace and stability."

Staff at Whitaker's were so moved by her death they created a window display dedicated to the Queen Mother, and the store did not open until 1pm.

Marks and Spencer and Asda closed at 10.30am and re-opened at 1pm in her honour and men's outfitters, Greenwoods, in the Market Place, closed all day as a mark of respect.

Bookmakers in the town also chose to close for the entire day in memory of the Queen Mother who was widely regarded as the patron of horse racing due to her love of the sport. The Crown Court closed all day and all trains scheduled to leave at 11.30am were delayed for two minutes.

In London the service -- attended by 2,000 people -- was broadcast to crowds outside the Abbey and along The Mall. As many as 35 members of the Royal Family and 25 foreign royals, as well as Prime Minister Tony Blair and overseas dignitaries, including America's first lady Laura Bush and Commonwealth leaders, attended the abbey funeral. Before the service, the abbey's Tenor Bell tolled every minute for 101 minutes, echoing the years of the Queen Mother's life. After the service the Queen Mother's coffin was carried out of Westminster Abbey as the National Anthem was played.

The funeral cortege then drove through the centre of the capital -- past Clarence House the Queen Mother's London residence -- as an RAF Battle of Britain Memorial flight of vintage Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancasters flew overhead. The streets were full of people as the procession made its slow and dignified journey to Windsor where a private committal service attended by close members of the Royal Family was held tonight.

The Queen Mother was due to be laid to rest next to her husband. Her daughter, Princess Margaret's ashes, are also there.