THE Archbishop of York paid tribute to the Queen Mother's "zest for life" and "love of people" during a poignant Easter service at York Minster.

Dr David Hope led a crowded congregation in a minute's silence in memory of the much-loved royal after delivering a heartfelt eulogy.

Preaching to a congregation which included the former Archbishop of York, Lord Habgood, Dr Hope said: "Today with Christian people throughout the world we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

"As we do so, however, we are mindful of the sad news which broke early yesterday evening of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

"We mourn her passing, truly the passing of an era, and assure Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family of our deepest sympathy and our prayers for them at this time. Today's celebration, however, is a celebration of life, the risen life of Jesus Christ. Even in our sadness and sorrow we give thanks this day for that zest for life and love of people which was so characteristic of Her Majesty the Queen Mother and in so doing we commend her to God's eternal love and peace."

The Dean of York, the Very Rev Raymond Furnell, also helped to lead the service. He said: "Today has a special significance for us in that we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gives us the promise of life after death, and at the same time we are conscious of being part of a nation in mourning with the death of the Queen Mother."

In his traditional Easter sermon, Dr Hope spoke of the "sheer horror" of the escalating conflict in the Middle East and said British farmers should be given "all the support they can get" following the foot and mouth crisis.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Middlesbrough, the Right Rev John Crowley, assured the Royal Family of the prayers of the people of the Roman Catholic Diocese. He said: "During the time I served as secretary to the late Cardinal Hume I had the privilege of meeting the Queen Mother on a number of occasions and was impressed by her total interest in the person she was talking to and her ability to make them feel they had her complete attention. The Queen Mother had an innate sympathy for the people at the sharp end of life, as was demonstrated during the Second World War, and she showed a great understanding of ordinary people's lives."

Updated: 10:21 Monday, April 01, 2002