Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: Borough's Service of Remembrance and one-minute silence plans confirmed

Further details of how people in Stockton-on-Tees can pay their respects following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II have been confirmed.

Service of Remembrance

A Service of Remembrance will be held at Stockton Parish Church, Stockton High Street, at 6.30pm on Sunday (September 18), which is the eve of the State Funeral.

The service will end with the singing of the national anthem and there will be readings from Reverend Mark Miller, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, Michael Poole, and the Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees, Councillor Ross Patterson.

Members of the public are welcome to attend.

National Moment of Reflection

A one-minute silence will be held at 8pm on Sunday (September 18) on Stockton High Street outside of Stockton Parish Church to mark the National Moment of Reflection.

Members of the public are invited to gather for the silence, which will be led by Vice Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, Michael Poole, who will be accompanied by the Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees, Councillor Ross Patterson.

Tree planting in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

National guidance suggests councils consider the planting of a memorial tree, which, in time, may become known as "The Queen's Tree".

Leader of the Council, Councillor Bob Cook, has asked the Council's cross party Commemoration Working Group to consider this further.

Books of Condolence

Books of Condolence remain open in the following libraries and in line with national guidance will close at library closing times on Tuesday (September 20):

• Billingham Library
• Ingleby Barwick Library
• Norton Library
• Stockton Central Library
• Thornaby Central Library
• Yarm Library

Library opening hours can be found on the Find a local library page of the Council website.

Libraries will be closed on Monday (September 19), the day of the State Funeral, but a Book of Condolence will be available to sign in the main entrance of Stockton Central Library from 9am to 11am.

There is also a national online Book of Condolence on the Royal website.

Flower laying areas

The following designated areas are available for members of the public to attend, reflect and lay flowers as a mark of respect:

• Billingham - John Whitehead Park (circular grassed area near to the Café)
• Ingleby Barwick - IB Leisure (Blair Avenue)
• Norton - on the Green
• Stockton - Parish Gardens (grassed area adjacent to the church)
• Thornaby - Five Lamps landmark (Mitchell Avenue)
• Yarm - grassed area off West Street near St Mary Magdalene Church/Yarm Parish Church

These areas will close on the evening of Thursday (September 22), in line with national guidance.

Flowers and other tributes will then be sensitively removed overnight - flowers will be separated from plastic wrappings and all materials will be composted or recycled wherever possible.

Any flowers that perish before then will be sensitively removed and disposed of appropriately.

Alternatively, people may wish to make a donation to charity or to one of Her Majesty's patronages, which are listed on the Charities and Patronages page of the Royal website.

Feature lighting

The lighting in Stockton town centre, Stockton riverside and Newport Bridge is set to purple every night up to and including Monday evening, which is the evening of the State Funeral. This is in line with national guidance.

Flag flying

As a mark of respect, flags at Stockton's Municipal Buildings and Town Hall are flying at half-mast during this period of national mourning.

In line with national guidance, they will be restored to full-mast at 8am on Tuesday (September 20).

For details of the period of national mourning and national events visit the Royal website and Government website.

You can also keep up to date by following the Council's Facebook page and Twitter feed.