PEOPLE across the south shared a moment of silence at 11.30am yesterday as they paid their own private respects to the Queen Mother.

Thousands of shops, businesses and organisations throughout Hampshire shut their doors or stopped for a moment of quiet reflection as the Queen Mother's funeral began at Westminster Abbey.

Workers at Hampshire County Council, Eastleigh and Fareham borough councils and Southampton City Council observed a two-minute silence at 11.30am, while many shops were closed until lunchtime at Southampton's WestQuay, Bargate and Marlands shopping centres, as well as at Winchester's Brooks Centre.

A spokeswoman for WestQuay said: "There was a two-minute silence at 11.30am in the mall. Everyone stood still and very quiet to remember the Queen Mother."

In Lymington, the bell of St Thomas's Church tolled once as the Queen Mother's coffin was carried into Westminster Abbey, and people gathered in groups on the pavement to bow their heads in remembrance.

Thousands of people remained at home to watch the historic event on television, and high streets and shopping centres throughout Hampshire were noticeably quiet.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service marked the royal funeral by observing a two-minute silence at 11.30am at full-time stations across the county.

Joining in the tribute were rookie firefighters on the training course at the fire headquarters in Leigh Road, Eastleigh.

A fire service spokesman said: "The whole of the Hampshire uniformed fire service had to parade in full uniform with appliances outside their respective station, and we also observed at two-minute silence. Being a service, we wanted to show our respects to the Queen Mother and, while we had to remain on duty, we felt this was an appropriate way to mark her funeral."

Buglers from the Winchester-based Light Infantry played the Last Post at yesterday's ceremonial service in the capital.

The Queen Mother was the Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment, which has its regimental museum at the Peninsula Barracks.