MOURNERS gathered in a Totton pub to celebrate the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The Salmon Leap pub on Testwood Lane took the decision to open for customers to watch the procession together.
Speaking to the Echo, landlord Eric Light described the Salmon Leap as a "community pub", and said that quite a few people live on their own.
READ MORE: Queen's funeral: Updates as Southampton says farewell to Queen Elizabeth II
The 60-year-old said: "It has been well-received. We had quite a few people come (for the funeral). We are a community pub and quite a few people live on their own.
"It was in the interest of our customers for us to open so we did."
There were 30 people initially for breakfast and the initial service, which increased when the Queen was taken to Windsor.
He described the atmosphere as "jovial", in celebration of the life of Her Majesty the Queen, adding: "We have had a number of people from the British Legion, who did the toast for the day.
"It's been a celebration of the parting of our Queen. All in all, it was well-received."
The landlord has run the Totton pub since 1994 and is thought to be one of Hampshire’s longest-serving landlords.
He told the Echo that he was on holiday in Turkey when he heard the news.
He said: "I was on holiday in Turkey. We were in a bar and got texts saying that she had passed away and then the whole mood of the bar changed. People were there from all over the world, and we all toasted the Queen.
"She's respected throughout the world. It's heart-moving.
"She is the only monarch I have ever seen."
He also paid tribute to the Queen, saying: "I would say the Queen served us loyally her whole life, and for us to have the Bank Holiday and give us time off to show our respects to the Queen is exceptional.
"We will never see anything like this, certainly not in my lifetime. I am not passionate about funerals, but I am here watching it.
"I am never going to see anything like it again. We are here to celebrate her life and her commitment to the country."
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