THE community of Barrow joins the nation in mourning following news of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Leaders at Barrow Borough Council today share their deepest sympathies with the Royal Family for their loss.

The Union Flag is at half mast on Barrow Town Hall as a mark of respect and the building will be bathed in purple light from Friday (9) onwards.

The Queen made a number of visits to Barrow spanning a period of more than 60 years and always drawing crowds of delighted visitors and onlookers. These visits often coincided with key moments in the borough’s social and industrial history.

Each occasion drew crowds of well-wishers with Her Majesty often stopping to speak to delighted members of the public.

HRH The Queen visited Barrow Town Hall itself in 1956 along with her late husband The Duke of Edinburgh. She returned in 1960 for the official launch of Dreadnought - the UK’s first nuclear submarine - a pivotal moment in the industrial heritage of the borough, and again in 1971 when she opened Barrow Indoor Market.

In 1977, during her Silver Jubilee year, Queen Elizabeth travelled to the town for the launch of the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible.  The completion of the brand new Furness General Hospital, in Dalton Road, marked another visit for the Monarch in 1985, while she made a return with the Duke of Edinburgh in 1998 for the official naming of HMS Ocean as well as a visit to the Abbey Road offices of the North West Evening Mail and the Nelson Street Community Centre.

Councillor Ann Thomson, Barrow Borough Council leader, said the loss of the Sovereign would be keenly felt by all those who live and work in the borough.

She said: “On behalf of Barrow Borough Council, our residents and business community, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Queen Elizabeth - an inspirational leader who has shown a peerless dedication and duty to her people and the Crown as the longest reigning monarch in history.

“Her loss is immeasurable and will be profoundly felt around the world.

“Barrow forged strong links with Her Majesty resulting in a number of visits over the decades. These visits often marked significant moments in our social or industrial heritage for which we shall be forever grateful.”

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne on February 6, 1952 at the age of 25. Her Coronation took place at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. She became the longest serving monarch in the world.

As well as her visits to Barrow and Furness, Queen Elizabeth travelled to Cumbria and the Lake District often. Her love of horses also saw her riding regularly into her 90s through Great Windsor Park and at Balmoral aboard her native Cumbrian Fell pony, Carltonlima Emma.

Sam Plum, Barrow Borough Council chief executive, described HRH The Queen as a remarkable leader whose reign would be characterised by her unfaltering duty and service to her people, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

“The loss of Her Majesty The Queen is an extremely poignant moment in our history and we share our condolences with the royal family on behalf of our community.

“Her dedication and years of service are truly humbling and we are proud to have welcomed her to Barrow on multiple occasions over the years.

“Our flag shall fly at half mast from Barrow Town Hall as we pay our respects during this time of national mourning.”