TRIBUTES to Princess Margaret flooded in from across the region during the weekend.

While some recalled fond memories, others expressed sadness the Princess would not receive a State funeral.

The Princess made a number of visits to the region over the years, during which she opened many well-known buildings and was awarded the Freedom of the City of Newcastle, in 1973.

The Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, said: "I met Princess Margaret on several occasions and always found her charming, lively, full of interest in others and in many good causes. May she rest in peace."

The Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Irene Waudby, said it was a very sad occasion.

The Princess's closest friend in the region, Lady Serena James, of Richmond, North Yorkshire, died in October 2000.

Prayers were said yesterday in York Minster following the Princess's death on Saturday.

Premiership football matches at Newcastle and Middlesbrough were among a string of sporting events where silences marked her passing.

Anita Atkinson, who is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for having the biggest collection of Royal souvenirs in the world, is devastated by Princess Margaret's death.

Mrs Atkinson, from Crook, County Durham, has e-mailed her condolences to the Queen on the Royal Family website, but she feels the public are being robbed of paying their last respects.

She said: "I am thoroughly disappointed she is not having a State funeral. She is the daughter of a sovereign, and without doubt she should be having a State funeral just like the Duke of Windsor.

"I would like to have gone to pay my respects.

"Saturday was just terrible. I cannot believe this has happened during the Golden Jubilee year.

"She was a real royal princess and a great character."

The daughter of one Darlington woman last night told how her mother was selected to represent the town at the Princess's wedding, in 1960.

Eleanor Gallagher was 52 at the time and was invited to take a place in Whitehall when the town's mayor was unable to attend.

Having joined the Civil Defence just before the war, Mrs Gallagher served as deputy senior air raid warden, based at Corporation Road, and received a long service medal for her efforts.

Mrs Gallagher took a 12-hour overnight coach journey from Stockton to London for the May 6 wedding.

"She said it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen," said her daughter, Pat Love.

Prayers were said for the Princess and the Royal Family at evensong in Durham Cathedral on Saturday.

The Dean, the Very Reverend John Arnold, said: "It was very suitable because we were being joined by the choir of St Mary's Cathedral, in Edinburgh.

"The Princess was born in Scotland and it was particularly appropriate we should be singing with them.

"We particularly remembered her contribution to the life of the nation, especially the time she was most active, her duty and her charitable work. She was a very loyal member of the Church of England. That was very much appreciated."

He said the Princess was being remembered at all services throughout the Durham diocese but there were no plans for a special service.

He said: "If there is a popular desire for one we will be open to that.