AN EXHIBITION marking the Queen Mother's links to a top North-East museum has opened following her funeral.

The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, remained closed on Tuesday until 2pm as a mark of respect. But when it reopened it was with the launch of a display of items of clothing loaned by the Royal.

On show until Monday, May 6, the exhibition - Lady, Queen, Patron - will display items such as a satin and gold lam dress worn by the Queen Mother for the Queen's coronation in 1952.

Born Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, the Queen Mother was the great-granddaughter of the 11th Earl of Strathmore, who was the uncle of the museum's founder, John Bowes.

Photographs of her six visits to the museum will also be on show, as well as a selection of hats from the Royal Milliners exhibition, which took place last year, many of them having belonged to the Queen Mother.

Her Majesty last visited the museum in 1992 as part of its centenary celebrations