RYEDALE mourners paid tribute to the Queen Mother during a special service at St Michael's Church in Malton last night.

About 100 people attended the service, including members of North Yorkshire County Council and Ryedale District Council.

"The town mayors from Malton and Norton were also there," said the Rev Nick Jones, Vicar of St Michael's, Malton, who conducted the service.

"It was a good turnout and a great privilege to take part in such an occasion."

Sir Marcus Worsley gave a tribute to the Queen Mother and members of the Malton and Norton branch of the Royal British Legion carried a standard.

Hymns sung during the service included I Vow To Thee My Country and Oh God Our Help In Ages Past.

Meanwhile, GNER has announced that it will invite rail passengers to observe a two-minute silence at its stations.

The same invitation will be given to passengers on its trains during the funeral of the Queen Mother.

All of GNER's 12 stations on the East Coast Main Line will fall silent at 11.30am tomorrow and trains timed to depart at that time will leave once the silence has ended.

Updated: 11:04 Monday, April 08, 2002