Mourners gather at Sandringham in Norfolk to remember the Queen on day of funeral

At Sandringham in Norfolk, tributes to Queen Elizabeth II continue to pour in as the nation says goodbye to the UK's longest reigning monarch in an historic state funeral.

While the world watched the service at Westminster Abbey, flowers have continued to be placed at the Royal Sandringham Estate as people flocked there to pay their respects.

Ruth Collins, 67, said: "I couldn’t have watched the funeral because it would have been too emotional but I thought coming here [Sandringham] was the best thing I could do."

"Norfolk has had such a connection to the queen." Ms Collins added.

Mariah Gibson, 12, said: "It’s been really upsetting because I’ve always know the queen and there’s so many things we’re going to miss about her."

Stuart, 46, from Norwich said: "I would have liked to have gone to London but I knew it was too hectic to take the the little one so we thought it we’d come to Sandringham to pay our respects".

Marie Mitchell, from Peterborough said: "It’s so lovely to see the messages especially from the children".

Moira Ray Smith, 55 and Ruby Ray Smith, 13 from Ely decided to travel to Sandringham at the last minute.

Moira Ray Smith said: "We were sat at home watching the funeral and got a bit emotional so I said right, let’s get in the car and come up".

While a poignant service took place at Sandringham, Norfolk police officers bowed their heads during the two minutes' silence for the Queen - to mirror the silence in London.

The Sandringham Estate has been closed today to allow staff to watch the funeral from home.

But the public have been allowed to come and lay flowers which now stretch around 200 yards along the Norwich gates.

In London, people from across the region made the journey there to pay their respects, lining the streets to watch the funeral.

Suffolk schoolgirl, Connie Gardener from Bury St Edmunds, spent the night outside with her family in readiness for the funeral.

"We supported the Queen when her husband sadly passed away and we thought it would be really nice to come and show our respect to her." she said.

"I normally have to have at least 10 hours [sleep] and I've got school tomorrow, it's going to be very tiring tomorrow." Miss Gardener added.

While the streets of London were packed with people waiting to get the best spot to watch today's funeral, back in the East of England, as the day began, many streets were deserted.

Unique tributes and gestures have been spotted across the region, in Ipswich, a simple Union flag placed on a van windscreen.

Cinemas and theatres opened their doors to show the service, while councils also set up screens in public squares so that people could watch together.

Brothers Arlo, 4 and Ezra, 6 dressed up in their best clothes as they watched the funeral at The Cornhill, Ipswich because "It would be nice for the Queen" they said.

People gathered at both Peterborough and Norwich cathedrals to watch the service.

In Norwich, a copy of the order of service for Westminster Abbey had been printed off so people could follow proceedings.

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