Flags on all public buildings will be flown at half mast until midnight on April 9, the day of the Queen Mother's funeral, Downing Street said today.

Following discussions with the Royal Family, the Government has issued guidance for the public observance of the national mourning period.

A press notice by No10 said neither the Royal Family nor the Government expected sporting fixtures in the run up to the funeral to be postponed or cancelled although ultimately it was a matter for the organisers.

It did however suggest that for major fixtures, the players wear black armbands and that the event was preceded by a period of silence in memory of the Queen Mother.

Similarly, it suggested that theatres, cinemas and other places of public entertainment may wish to mark the Queen Mother's death in some way such as the playing of the National Anthem or observing a period of silence.

Given the timing of the funeral at 11.30 on a Tuesday morning it is not expected that any large-scale sporting or other public events will be scheduled to take place at the same time.

However the press notice said that in the event of a clash, the organisers may wish to consider if the event could be cancelled or postponed at least for the duration of the funeral procession and service.

Schools are expected to remain open, although the Royal Family and the Government suggest that on the day of the funeral, headteachers may considering altering the timetable so that children can mark event in some way, such as viewing it on television.

The press notice also sets out details of the recall of Parliament, at 11.30 am on Wednesday, and the lying-in-state at Westminster Hall in the Palace of Westminster.

The public will be able to pay their respects from 2pm to 6pm on Friday April 5, and then from 8am to 6pm each day from Saturday April 6 to Monday April 8.

In addition books of condolence are available at St James's Palace, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and, from Tuesday, at Windsor Castle.

People across the North-East will have an opportunity to pay their last respects in books of remembrance from Tuesday.

Darlington Borough Council will open its book of condolences at the Town Hall, Feethams.

The Friends of the Bowes Museum's book of condolences will open on Thursday at the Barnard Castle museum.

A book in honour of the Queen Mother will be opened at the Stone Cross Civic Centre in Northallerton by Hambleton District Council on Tuesday.

A book will be opened at Richmondshire District Council's offices at Swale House, Richmond, Tuesday. Books are also likely to be provided at the authority's community offices in Leyburn and Hawes.

Books of Remembrance for the Queen Mother will also be open from Tuesday at The Northern Echo offices in Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Durham and Northallerton.

Tributes written in these books will also be printed in The Northern Echo.

People wishing to make charitable donations in memory of the Queen Mother are being encouraged to give to Queen Elizabeth's Charitable Trust.

Donations may be made across the counter at all high street banks.

Postal donations may be sent to Queen Elizabeth's Charitable Trust, PO Box 34842, London W8 7XB or at PO Box 17212, Edinburgh EH12 9TT for those wishing to donate to charitable activities linked to the Queen Mother in Scotland.