Mourners gathered at Bradford Cathedral yesterday to pay tribute to the Queen Mother.

At a special service to mark her funeral, the Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend David Smith, pictured, expressed his sentiments of admiration for her.

The sunny cathedral, bedecked in Easter flowers, was only about one third full.

But those who were there had slipped out of work at lunchtime or had been given time off to pay their respects.

Among the congregation were the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq, dressed in black and wearing a black armband.

He was joined by the leaders of Bradford Council's main political parties, Conservative Council leader, Councillor Margaret Eaton, Labour group leader, Councillor Ian Greenwood, Liberal-Democrats group leader, Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, and the Council's chief executive Ian Stewart.

They all wore black suits and the women also wore black hats.

Bishop Smith told the hushed congregation during his sermon that they had met to give thanks for the life of a "remarkable lady".

He said: "As has been expressed by many, she has won the affection and admiration of people from many backgrounds, many races and many faiths.

"A wide variety of people are one in their wish to pay tribute to a Queen who has served her nation and the Commonwealth in a truly outstanding way.

"We are deeply grateful for the presence of the Lord Mayor and the leaders of the main political parties in the Council.

"Today they represent the people of Bradford in paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth the Queen mother."

He continued: "We all look back with gratitude.

"All of us of whatever faith or no faith are challenged to follow her example of service, that our city of Bradford and indeed, the world, may become a better pace.

"That will be a truly fitting memorial to a remarkable lady.

"May she rest in peace and glory."

The Bishop thanked those who had come to the Christian service of different faiths or who had no faith at all.

"We celebrate our common humanity and remember with thanksgiving a lady whose generosity of spirit and personal warmth went out to all without distinction," he said.

"Surely this is an example for us to follow both in Bradford and throughout the world."

He spoke of her devotion to her faith and her courage which inspired the country during the Second World War.

"Those of us who were alive during the Second World War will remember how she and King George VI remained in London throughout the war and were on the scene immediately after bombing raids on London to support and encourage those whose lives had been shattered in one way or another.

"Those who have lived under the daily threat of injury or death appreciated what this courageous presence did for us in helping us to cope with such stress."

Canon Derek Jackson welcomed everyone to the beautiful 15th century cathedral for the special service.

He said: "This service is a response to a request by civic leaders.

"We join with the whole nation in bidding our farewell to her and thanking her for all she has been and done."

Canon David Brierly; the Archbishop of Craven, the Venerable Malcolm Grundy; and Archdeacon of Bradford, the Venerable Guy Wilkinson, also joined in the service.

Hymns included The Lord is my Shepherd and O God our Help in Ages Past. Organist was Martin Baker. The National Anthem rounded off the service at about 1pm.

Before the service silence fell over the heart of the city as some 400 people stood in silence in Centenary Square in memory of the Queen Mother.

Only the sound of rumbling traffic could be heard as the sombre crowd marked the two minutes' silence at 11.30am.

Many people were dressed in black and some seemed closed to tears as they shivered beneath a leaden sky.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq, and civic leaders stood at the front of the crowd in the shadow of City Hall.

The condolence book inside the building carried about 200 poignant messages, many of them from children.

A six-year-old had written how much she would miss the "lovely lady". Other messages described her as Royal in every sense and a wonderful woman.

Bell ringer Nathan Darlington was tolling the City Hall bell 101 times by hand to mark the number of years of the Queen Mother's life.

On the second toll the Council representatives left City Hall to attend the memorial service.

The civic leaders did not give speeches before or after the silence but stood with the crowd.

Before the event Councillor Khaliq said: "The Queen Mother was loved and admired by the people of the Bradford district and will be sadly missed."

Council leader Councillor Margaret Eaton said: "I think today is an opportunity for people to reflect on the life of somebody who gave much of her life to duty.

"She was also a caring person who spent a great deal of emotion on her family."

Labour Group leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said: "She was a wonderful woman who demonstrated courage, charity and devotion to duty throughout her life."

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: "It is right and proper the city marks the death of a great woman of our time."

Firefighters at Nelson Street Fire Station also observed a two minutes' silence to pay their respects to the Queen Mother today.

Dressed in their full uniform, 15 firemen from Green Watch and ten volunteers were led outside by Assistant Divisional Commander Brian Robson.

Mike Cartwright, spokesman for the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said most of the district's businesses had also marked the Queen Mother's funeral in some way.

He said: "The Chamber of Commerce's own position was to offer staff the option of a one-minute's silence.

"Those who were not in favour were asked to refrain from phone calls or starting up conversations."