A FORMER Queen's Guide to the Sands has led the tributes to Prince Philip after his death last week.

Cedric Robinson MBE, who held the royally appointed role from 1963 until 2019, travelled across the Morecambe Bay sands with the Duke of Edinburgh in 1985.

After being set up by Lord Cavendish, Mr Robinson, and the Prince travelled from Silverdale to the railway station in Kents Bank.

Sitting alongside the Prince in a carriage pulled along by horses, Mr Robinson, 88, says it it one of his best memories and was saddened by the news of his passing.

He said: "I was very sad, anybody who knew him would be. There is not many people who had the chance to sit next to him and ask him questions.

"I was never nervous on the sands. I had been there through all weather, snow, hail run the lot. But to be sitting next to him was quite different.

"I really enjoyed going across the Bay with him.

"He was a wonderful person. I have so many happy memories of that day.

"He was a marvellous family man for the Queen and the Royal Family.

"He was so well-known over the world. If he had his mind set on something he was determined to do it..

"He didn’t talk rubbish. He was straight talking. I really enjoyed going across the Bay with him and he said he did which was nice."

Mr Robinson also revealed that Prince Philip wrote the foreword to one his ten books.

After writing to Buckingham Palace, Mr Robinson said he was very surprised when the Prince agreed to write the foreword.

Across South Lakeland, many others paid their respects to the Prince.

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale said: "Deeply saddened to hear about the death of Prince Philip.

"He gave enormous service to our country and the Duke of Edinburgh Award will continue to inspire millions of young people for many years to come."

Councillor Stephen Coleman, Chairman of South Lakeland District Council, added: “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.’’