Photos of a deserted Darlington town centre have been captured, as the region prepares to pay their final farewell to Queen Elizabeth II.

The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, will take place on Monday (September 19) in Westminster Abbey – with thousands expected to stand on the streets of the capital, and millions more watching at home.

It is expected that the coffin will leave Westminster Hall, where the Queen has been lying in state for the last four days, at around 10.44am.

Read more: Trains for Queen's funeral from Newcastle station left EMPTY

Her coffin will then arrive at Westminster Abbey at 11am, before it is transferred to a hearse at Wellington Arch at 1pm for a drive to Windsor Castle.

The coffin will then arrive at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for committal service at 4pm.

Away from London, most businesses, workplaces, shops, and schools have closed across the North East – with many companies allowing their staff members to pay their respects.  

Here are the photos of the deserted streets:

The Northern Echo: The A167 sits empty. Picture: NICK GULLONThe A167 sits empty. Picture: NICK GULLON (Image: NICK GULLON)

The Northern Echo: No cars on the A167. Picture: NICK GULLONNo cars on the A167. Picture: NICK GULLON (Image: NICK GULLON)

The Northern Echo: Darlington town centre. Picture: NICK GULLONDarlington town centre. Picture: NICK GULLON (Image: NICK GULLON)

The Northern Echo: Shop shutters on the streets in Darlington. Picture: NICK GULLONShop shutters on the streets in Darlington. Picture: NICK GULLON (Image: NICK GULLON)

The Northern Echo: No people on the streets of Darlington. Picture: NICK GULLONNo people on the streets of Darlington. Picture: NICK GULLON (Image: NICK GULLON)

The Northern Echo: High Row in Darlington. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTHigh Row in Darlington. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: The Northern Echo)

The Northern Echo: The Cornmill shopping centre. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTThe Cornmill shopping centre. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: The Northern Echo)

In Darlington, the streets were completely empty and eerie on Monday (September 19), as people had nowhere to go, with popular brands Greggs, O2, Next, and other big names all having their shutters down.

The roads around Darlington were also deserted, with the A167 having no cars on it at 7.45am this morning, and no one spotted around the pavement areas of the A-road.

Some businesses, such as takeaways, certain shops, and businesses will open after the Queen’s funeral, while Weatherspoons announcing that it will open from 1pm.

Have you got any other photos of Darlington or other town centres deserted from across the North East?   

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