A HARWOOD flower arranger has helped to create the floral displays at the Queen Mother's funeral.

Gillian Platt, who has been involved with flower arranging for more than 30 years, was involved in putting together the designs at Westminster Abbey.

Mrs Platt, of Tottington Road, is chairman of the National Association of Floral Societies and is based in London most of the week.

The society is often asked to provide displays for special occasions at the Abbey and members were given special advice from the Queen Mother's Lady in Waiting on what kind of flowers and designs she would have wanted.

The team chose pastel shades such as pink and lilac and included as many of the Queen Mother's favourite flowers as possible, such as lilies, roses and hyacinth.

Mrs Platt said: "We were told to create traditional displays which would look like a natural garden without any hard looking shapes.

"It was a great honour and privilege. The Queen Mother was a very special lady and this is the end of an era."

Mrs Platt was planning to watch the funeral on television as she was attending a NAFAS event in Birmingham.