Lone piper plays Amazing Grace in tribute to the Queen on Accrington hill

A lone piper has paid tribute to Her Majesty The Queen playing out across East Lancashire.

Paul Burns played the song 'Amazing Grace' at the top of the Coppice in Accrington as people began mourning the death of the country's longest-reigning monarch.

The Piper said he felt he had to do something.

He said: "When I heard the news yesterday I felt I had to do something to show my appreciation of her life and service to the country.

"The bagpipes looking over Accrington seemed like a fitting tribute to HM The Queen."

He said he had the privilege of playing the pipes for Queen Elizabeth in 2012 when she visited the town ahead of her Jubilee tour.

"Unfortunately I didn't get to speak to her," he added. "We were playing as she was outside of the town hall in Accrington.

"She did give us a smile as she went past us though. What an amazing day it was for the whole town. Hundreds of people came to see her and Prince Philip.

"I was extremely proud to be able to play for her as I know she had a love of Scotland and the bagpipes. It's a day I will never forget."

On that occasion the Queen was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales when she started the North-West leg of her jubilee tour in the town.

In a tweet Mr Burns said: "My tribute to Queen Elizabeth #QueenElizabeth#RoyalFamily at the top of the coppice looking over Accrington. Rest in Peace."

Buckingham Palace issued a statement which revealed the news to the world that the Queen had died at the age of 96.

The Palace said: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

"The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

The Monarch had celebrated her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year - marking 70 years of her reign.