Islanders have been laying flowers and writing tributes to pay their respects to the Queen.

The war memorial in Sheerness was covered in flowers today.

A wreath had been laid by the town council. It read: "On behalf of Sheerness and the Isle of Sheppey we wish to express our sadness on hearing the news of Queen Elizabeth passing. Cllr Dolley."

Another bouquet had a note saying: "You are now back with the love of your life.

"Thank you for your unwavering service. God Bless, Tracey."

A electronic board outside Tesco was also pictured paying tribute to the Queen.

Shoppers in the town also expressed their sadness.

Eileen Todd, from Sheerness, was 11-years-old when Elizabeth II was crowned Queen in 1953.

Now 80, she said: "Her passing is very sad.

"I remember watching her coronation when I was just a girl and we had a big celebration for her recent jubilee."

Terry Bradshaw, also from Sheerness, was just nine-years-old when the coronation happened.

The 79-year-old recalled the moment he saw her drive past the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children in Hackney Road.

He said: "We were all there to see her go by and one of my friends pushed in front and one of the police motorcycles ran over his foot.

"So I remember that as part of the coronation occasion which was very, very nice indeed.

"Of course as she went by she waved at me but there were a few other people there as well.

"It is very sad at the moment to have seen her pass but I guess it had to happen some day."

Two women, who had just finished a yoga class, felt Her Majesty's death was a real shock.

Kim Riordan, 64, said: "We only saw her with the Prime Minister on Tuesday.

"She was 96 though and looking her age."

Sue Dicson, 63, from Halfway agreed.

She said: "Most people are upset and sad. She's always been there for most of us."

In Swale, Books of Condolence have been opened at Swale House in Sittingbourne, Faversham Town Council Offices and Sheppey Gateway in Sheerness.

People are invited to pay their respects from 10am to 4pm weekdays and 10am to midday on Saturdays.