Towns across the Cotswolds mourn the death of the Queen Mother. (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Towns across the Cotswolds mourn the death of the Queen Mother.

A THREE-hour muffled peal of bells will be rung at Cirencester parish church next Tuesday, the day of the Queen Mother's funeral.

The peal will begin at 5pm.

Throughout this week the Union flag hung at half-mast on the tower.

Inside, a candle was lit in the Lady Chapel to the memory of the Queen Mother, and a book of condolence was positioned close by.

Several pages had been filled with names and messages by Tuesday morning.

The Union flag was also flown over the Dyer Street entrance to the Town Council offices, and above the West Market Place premises of Gazebo, a gift and antiques shop.

The shop also dedicated its window display to the Queen Mother, showing a number of photographs of her, with the message: "This greatly loved lady whose smile has warmed a million hearts."

The Union flag was also at half-mast at Cotswold District Council's offices, and will remain there until sunset on the day of the funeral.

Council chairman Tim Royle wrote to the Queen, expressing condolences on behalf of the district.

As a further mark of respect, CDC offices and other frontline facilities will be closed to the public between 10am and 1pm next Tuesday.

The services affected are cashiers and reception at Trinity Road, Cirencester, housing reception at the nearby Corn Hall, the town's Corinium Museum, the Cotswold Heritage Museum at Northleach, the leisure centres at Cirencester, Fairford, Tetbury and Chipping Campden, all services at the area centre in Moreton-in-Marsh, and visitor information centres at Cirencester, Bourton and Stow.

A council meeting which was scheduled for Tuesday morning will now delayed until 2pm and will be held at the Watermoor End, Cirencester, conference centre of Mitsubishi Motors.

The council's switchboard will remain open throughout the day.

Books of condolence are available to the general public at the council's reception area in Trinity Road, Cirencester, the Area Centre, Moreton, and at the Fosseway Housing Association reception area in Querns Business Centre, Whitworth Road, Cirencester.

Messages may also be sent using the on-line form on the memorial website at www.royal.gov.uk.

Tomorrow morning (Friday) the Queen Mother's coffin will leave St James Palace and carried in a ceremonial procession to Westminster Hall. It will lie there until the evening of Monday April 8.

TETBURY: The parish church of St Mary's will be holding a service in memory of the Queen Mother on Sunday April 7. The service is for churches in and around Tetbury and there will be a special evensong. A book of condolences opened in the church on Tuesday.

FAIRFORD: Churches Together around Fairford will hold a memorial service at 11am on Saturday in St Mary's Church, Fairford to which all are welcome. A book of condolence has been opened.

LECHLADE: A candle will burn next to a photograph of the Queen Mother in St Lawrence's Church, Lechlade as a mark of respect during the period of mourning.

On Tuesday morning the Queen Mother's coffin will be taken to Westminster Abbey for a royal ceremonial state funeral service starting at 11.30am.

Following this, the coffin will return to Windsor Castle for a private committal service and interment at St George's Chapel.

Here the Queen Mother will be laid to rest alongside her husband George VI.