THE MAYOR of Warrington has joined the nation in paying tribute to Her Majesty The Queen following the announcement of her death yesterday.

The monarch's death draws a close to the second Elizabethan age, and also ends the longest reign of a sovereign in British history.

Warrington Guardian: Flowers have been laid at the Town Hall in memory of The QueenFlowers have been laid at the Town Hall in memory of The Queen (Image: Newsquest)

Mayor of Warrington, Councillor Jean Flaherty, said: "I speak on behalf of Warrington Borough Council and the people of our borough in expressing my profound sadness at the news of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

"We will join with people across the world as we mourn her loss, and are thankful for the immense contributions and sacrifices she made for our country and communities.

The mayor went on to reminisce about the times The Queen visited Warrington during her 70-year reign, in the 1960s, '70s, '80s, and finally in 2012 to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

Warrington Guardian: The mayor explained that the flag on the Town Hall will be flown at half mastThe mayor explained that the flag on the Town Hall will be flown at half mast (Image: Supplied)

Cllr Flaherty continued: "The positive impact she has made will be felt for many generations to come.

"We will remember how she served with dignity and pride for 70 years, as our longest-reigning British monarch.

"Many of us will fondly remember her visits to Warrington in May 1968 when she visited Bridge Street, November 1979 when she visited the Golden Square development and the Town Hall, August 1998 when she took a tour of Hollins Park hospital in Winwick, and latterly in May 2012 when she opened the Orford Jubilee Hub."

Warrington Guardian: The Queen visited Warrington in 2012 to officially open Orford Jubilee HubThe Queen visited Warrington in 2012 to officially open Orford Jubilee Hub (Image: Newsquest)

The Mayor ended her tribute by expressing the gratitude that the people of Warrington were showing to the beloved monarch: "Many of us will equally have our own personal memories and stories of the Queen, both in and out of Warrington, and we will reflect on the immense personal impact she will have had on many of our communities.

"All civic and council-run meetings and events scheduled are currently being reviewed during the period of mourning.

"The flag at Warrington Town Hall will be flown at half-mast with immediate effect as a mark of respect."