Flags flew at half-mast and church bells tolled a death-knell throughout West Somerset this week in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh whose funeral will take place at Windsor tomorrow (Saturday).

Government Covid-19 guidelines mean that books of condolence are unable to be opened in local churches and other public places but messages can be sent to the Royal Family via an online book of condolence on the royal website.

Civil and business leaders this week offered their sympathy, including Sir Ray Tindle, founder of the Tindle newspaper group, owners of the Free Press, who had met the Duke and was saddened by news of his death.

Sir Ray said: “We send our sincere condolences to the Queen and her family and hope she will continue on the throne even though she has lost her beloved husband of many years.”

Somerset County Council chairman Cllr Nigel Taylor declared his personal sadness at the death of the Duke at the age of 99. He said: “I had the honour to act as an armed protection officer to both Prince Philip and the Queen on several occasions.

“His passing leaves us all with a shared loss. We are united in grief.”

In a joint statement, Andy Moss, Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police and Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens, said: “We join with the nation in mourning the sad news.

“The union flag will be flown at half-mast at police and fire headquarters as a mark of our deepest respect for the Duke of Edinburgh and his service to the United Kingdom.”

Condolences were also offered by Minehead Mayor Cllr Paul Bolton, Cllrs Federica Smith-Roberts and Hazel Prior-Sankey, leader and chairman of Somerset West and Taunton Council, and by officers of Norton Camp-based 40 Commando, which provided the royal guard at Buckingham Palace for the Duke’s final public engagement in August 2017.