BRITAIN came to a standstill today to mourn the loss of the nation's favourite grandmother.

In an emotionally charged yet dignified ceremony, the Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was laid to rest 10 days after her death.

Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets of London as the coffin slowly made its way from Westminster Hall on its 20 minute journey to Westminster Abbey. It was borne on the same gun carriage used for her husband George VI's funeral 50 years ago.

Hundreds of people, young and old, had spent the night on the pavements outside the Abbey preparing to say their farewells. Later, hundreds of thousands of people spilled out on to the streets as offices and shops emptied.

A two minute silence was observed as clocks struck 11.30am marking the start of the funeral service.

In a show of respect in Bolton, shops and businesses closed for anything up to three hours as bosses bowed to the pressure of their staff who wanted watch the funeral on television.

Flights at Manchester Airport were suspended for two minutes and First Manchester buses parked by the side of the road as the nation paid its respects.