THE bells of Malvern Priory rang out this week to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Union flags were at half mast across the town to remember the monarch, who died on September 8 aged 96.

The bells of Great Malvern Priory rang out at around midday as people entered the church to sign the council's book of condolences located inside.

Tributes were also set up in Priory Park, where the pavilion was decorated with Union flag bunting and a floral tribute with a message from Malvern Hills District Council left inside.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin paid tribute to the Queen, saying: "I was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.

"She has worked tirelessly her whole life in the service of our country and our Commonwealth.  

"Our family of nations has benefitted from her knowledge and experience guiding successive Governments and fifteen different Prime Ministers. 

"Our loss is immeasurable - one of the wisest women in the world has left us.  

"As MPs say daily in our prayers in the House of Commons: ‘May she attain everlasting joy and felicity through Jesus Christ our Lord’. 

"Long live the King."

Malvern Gazette: MEMORIES: The book of condolences inside Great Malvern PrioryMEMORIES: The book of condolences inside Great Malvern Priory (Image: NQ)

Her sentiments were echoed by Mayor of Malvern Cllr Nick Houghton, who said: "On behalf of the Councillors and Officers of Malvern Town Council, and the residents of Malvern, I would like to extend my condolences to the Royal Family on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

"Her Majesty visited Malvern many times during her reign.

"Her first visit to Malvern as the Queen was in April 1957, and in 1976 she returned to Malvern to send the first ever royal email from the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (RSRE).

"Her most famous connection to Malvern was probably the fact that Malvern Spring Water was her water of choice, and that she apparently packed crates of it whenever she travelled overseas.

Malvern Gazette: TRIBUTE: Union flags flying in MalvernTRIBUTE: Union flags flying in Malvern (Image: NQ)

"We will remember her devotion to public life and service, while at the same time supporting His Majesty The King in his duties as our Sovereign. God Save The King."

Residents and well wishers paid their respects to the Queen and her family.

Malvern veteran Peter Storry told the Gazette: "As veterans we are all stunned and saddened to hear the news. 

"She is a great loss to the armed forces and the country in general."

Malvern Gazette: TRIBUTE: Cllr Martin Allen served in the Royal NavyTRIBUTE: Cllr Martin Allen served in the Royal Navy (Image: NQ)

Mr Storry, who organises the Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club in the town added: "When we all signed up, we swore our oath to queen and country.

"What we were saying was we were prepared to lay down our lives for her, so that sense of duty is a huge part."

Fellow veteran and armed forces champion Cllr Martin Allen, who served in the Royal Navy for more than a decade, said: " I was in the navy for 10 and a half years and had the honour of raising her ensign on HMS Valiant.

"I think being in the armed forces gives you a different perspective on her duty and service to the nation.

"I know myself and every veteran loved the queen."