THE story of one North-East woman, and the tears she shed over the death of Princess Diana, are to be highlighted in a television documentary to be screened this weekend.

Five years after the death of Diana - an event voted last week as the most memorable day in British history - the story of Brenda Whaley, 50, and her father, John Kyle, 75, will be screened on Sunday.

"We were right opposite Westminster Abbey. I was crying before the coffin even arrived," said Ms Whaley.

"There was a police woman stood with her back to the abbey, facing the crowd, with tears streaming down her face. That was enough to set me off."

The pair, from Delves Lane, Consett, County Durham, camped out for 24 hours to claim one of the prime spots outside Westminster Abbey and witnessed an unprecedented national outpouring of grief.

The pair feature in a new TV documentary by Blakeway Productions called Diana - The People's Farewell.

The programme covers the momentous day from the perspective of the ordinary people who took part. It includes stories of people who camped out overnight to pay their respects, friends of Diana, and public figures at the service.

All the pair took with them was two camping stools and two black bags.

"We passed the time talking to those around us, exchanging memories of Diana.

"It was like our own community - there was a really nice atmosphere.

"We were awake all night, no one could sleep. The next morning, when we heard the bell tolling to signal the procession had left Kensington Palace and was on its way, the atmosphere changed.

"It was an eerie silence. All you could hear was the hooves of the horses and the heavy gun carriages rolling on."

The pair attended for very different reasons. "We are not really fans of the royals," she said. "I felt compelled to go. I wanted to be a part of it.

"My dad went for the military pageantry of it all.

"I loved the flowers and felt sorry for her boys, whereas my dad liked the military precision of the cortege.

"We both saw the same thing, but took away very different images of it."

Diana - The People's Farewell, is shown on BBC1 on Sunday, September 1, at 10.15pm.