A RESOUNDING 41-gun salute was taking place in York today as a mark of respect to the Queen Mother, as people throughout the city and region paid tribute to "the backbone of the Royal Family".

The salute in the Museum Gardens, was one of only 12 taking place across the country and in Gibraltar, with other salutes being fired at locations including Hyde Park, the Tower of London, Edinburgh and Stirling Castles, and City Hall in Cardiff.It was one of a series of events during a period of national mourning, leading up to the Queen Mother's funeral on April 9.The Queen Mother died on Saturday at the age of 101.The York salute, being carried out by 40 Regiment, Royal Artillery, who are based at Topcliffe, near York, was to take the form of guns firing at intervals of approximately one a minute for 40 minutes.The Queen Mother's favourite grandson, Prince Charles, was expected to make a televised tribute to her today.Last night, the Queen led Royal mourners in prayer at the foot of her mother's coffin.Senior members of the Royal Family, including Prince Charles and his sons Prince William and Prince Harry, joined her.

Meanwhile, mourners can sign a book of condolence in York Minster from today at the entrance of St John's Chapel, and in York's Guildhall from tomorrow. The Queen Mother was patron of the Minster.In Selby, mourners can sign a book of condolence in the Abbey from today. The Minster bells will be muffled tomorrow as a mark of respect.The Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, and the Dean of York, the Very Rev Raymond Furnell, are still planning details of a memorial service to her at the Minster.Churches in Malton and Norton held a minute's silence yesterday as members of the congregation paid their respects to the Queen Mother.

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Middlesbrough, the Right Rev John Crowley, will celebrate a Requiem Mass for the Queen Mother and give thanks for her life in St Mary's Cathedral, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, on Thursday, April 11, at 7pm.Dr Hope yesterday led a packed Minster congregation in a minute's silence in memory of the Queen Mother after delivering a heartfelt eulogy.Dr David Hope paid tribute to her "zest for life" and "love of people" before giving his traditional Easter address. Earlier he spoke of a Royal figure he said "had a unique place in the affections of people not only in this country, but throughout the world".He said: "Personally, I remember her as someone of great faith, of sharp mind, an amazing memory for detail, immense dedication to her country, with a keen interest in others and always with a sparkling and cheerful humour which endeared so readily to so many people."The Lord Mayor of York, Coun Irene Waudby, said: "Our thoughts must go out to the Royal Family, especially the Queen, at this second bereavement in such a short time."The Queen Mother had been so much a part of this country in the 20th century."

The Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Lord Crathorne, described her as "the backbone of the Royal Family".Today's sporting fixtures were due to go ahead as planned, although they will be overcast with a sense of mourning.Football stadiums across the country will be united in a minute's silence, and players will don black armbands.The busiest day in the racing calendar will also be unchanged, with 15 meetings going ahead, including Wetherby.But a minute's silence will be marked and jockeys will be asked to wear armbands, while a special section of race cards will remember the Queen Mother.It is yet undecided if race meetings will be cancelled on April 9. In 1997.MPs will be recalled to Parliament on Wednesday to pay their respects to the Queen Mother.

Updated: 10:17 Monday, April 01, 2002