Books of condolence containing touching tributes to Queen Elizabeth II will be stored with the councils.

People have paid tribute to the Queen across the region in the books of condolence during the national mourning period.

In Darlington, the book of condolence will be available at the town hall for people to sign until the end of Tuesday (September 20).

After this, said Councillor Jonathan Dulston, leader of Darlington Borough Council, the loose leaves where people left condolences will be bound and archived.

He said: "We'll get them bound professionally into a book. Then they'll be stored officially at the council, which is the protocol.

The Northern Echo: Cllr Jonathan Dulston. Picture: Sarah Caldecott.Cllr Jonathan Dulston. Picture: Sarah Caldecott.

"People are requesting that we look at putting them on display for a period of time, so we're looking at that at the moment.

"I think everyone's overwhelmed by the various levels of support that we've seen, floral tributes, books of condolence.

"I'm not surprised. We always knew that this was a person that had such a massive effect on people's lives. I'm really proud that we've seen the level of respect that's been shown."

At Durham County Council, books of condolence will go into the county archives.

County council leaders are expected to pay tribute to the Queen at the next full council meeting on Wednesday, when a motion of condolence will be tabled.

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