LOCAL council leaders have paid their respects to His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, who has died today.

South Lakeland District Council's leader and chairman added their tributes as the county and nation continue to pay their respects to the 99-year-old.

Councillor Stephen Coleman, chairman of South Lakeland District Council, led the tributes, saying: “This is indeed a sad day and a day of national, and international mourning.

 “I want to pass on my sympathy, and the sympathy of the district of South Lakeland, to the Royal family who we must also think of at this time of great personal loss.

 “The Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen were frequent visitors to Cumbria and it was always our great pleasure to welcome them whenever they came to South Lakeland.’’

Councillor Giles Archibald, leader of South Lakeland District Council, added his tribute.

He said: “South Lakeland joins the rest of the country, and the world, in remembering His Royal Highness Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh.  Our sympathy goes out to Her Majesty the Queen and her family for their personal loss.

 “The Duke of Edinburgh will always have a very special place in the hearts and minds of the people of South Lakeland.’’

A number of flags located around South Lakeland will be flown at half-mast.

South Lakeland District Council has advised residents and any visitors to South Lakeland to visit the Cumbria County Council website (www.cumbria.gov.uk) for more details about Cumbria and national arrangements, including a link to the Buckingham Palace e-Book of condolence.

Due to Covid restrictions residents are being encouraged to leave their condolence messages on-line on the Buckingham Palace e-Book.

And residents have been advised to take care to adhere to social distancing and Covid restrictions if laying floral tributes. In South Lakeland, approved locations to lay flowers are:

•        Queen’s Park, Windermere - Green space opposite the children’s play area

•        Coronation Hall, Ulverston - Pavement area to the front of Coronation Hall

•        Rothay Park Ambleside - South of the children’s play area

•        The Glebe, Bowness - Around the band stand

•        Kendal Parish Church - Green space to the front of the church

•        Kendal Abbott Hall - Green to the front of Abbot Hall