Flags are being flown at half mast across the Shotley peninsula and tributes have been paid following the death of HRH Prince Philip aged 99.

Prince Philip was no stranger to the peninsula and made visits to Royal Harwich he visited HMS Ganges on more than one occasion, the last in 1973 before it closed as a training establishment three years later.

The Duke of Edinburgh was the Royal Harwich Yacht Club at Woolverstone patron for nearly 70 years and the flag at the RHYC is being flown at half mast, will continue to do so until next Sunday, the morning after Prince Philip's funeral on Saturday (April 17) afternoon.

A statement from the RHYC read: "It is with great sadness that we have learnt that our Patron His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

"He had been Patron of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club since 1952, almost 70 years, a period that has seen enormous changes not only to the country as a whole but also to our Club."

Colours at the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, along with flags on council offices at Babergh and Suffolk County Council, were also flown at half mast as mark of respect, while and a minute's silence will be held at 3pm next Saturday.

A statement from RHS read: "We are saddened to hear of the death of HRH Prince Philip following his years of faithful service to our nation. The sympathies and prayers of the whole school community are with Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family."

Babergh district councillors from the peninsula also paid their tributes with Alastair McCraw, Brantham ward, recounting how he and Prince Philip locked eyes after he tipped his hat to the Duke who was visiting Ipswich with the Queen, and Philip responded by lifting his bowler hat.

Derek Davis, Ganges ward, who was a trainee at HMS Ganges and is former chairman of the Museum, met Prince Philip twice while serving in the Royal Navy.

"Prince Philip was a Navy man through and through," said Cllr Davis. "I first met him at the Royal Tournament when he inspected the crews, and he was very engaging and knowledgable. He asked one of the lads 'how many fingers have you lost?'.

"He was hugely respected, known for his eye for detail, straight talking and sense of humour, but most of all a man of action rather than just talk."

Meanwhile Babergh chair Kathryn Grandon said: "We send our sincere condolences to The Queen and the entire Royal Family during this sad time with our deepest sympathies.

"The Duke of Edinburgh visits to the district have always been received warmly with great affection, there will be a real sense of loss. This is a time for the nation to come together."

Suffolk Constabulary's Chief Constable, Steve Jupp, said: "I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

"His lifetime of public duty and steadfast dedication to Her Majesty and the entire country - from his career with the Royal Navy during and after World War Two, right up until his retirement in 2017 - is an example to all of us who work in public service.

"On behalf of Suffolk Constabulary, I would like to join with our policing colleagues across the United Kingdom by extending our sincere sympathy and condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and the entire Royal Family."

Due to the Corona restrictions only online Condolence Registers are available for signing:Church of England

A Service of Commemoration will be recorded for the Shoreline Benefice and made available on YouTube.