CARE home residents in the New Forest were able to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II thanks to books of condolence being brought to them.

New Forest District Council chair Cllr Alan O’Sullivan visited three care homes in the region, including Barfields Court in Lymington and Gore Grange in New Milton, to enable all residents the opportunity to write a message.

Cllr O’Sullivan said: “I wanted to share some time with the residents at the Extra Care Housing as they may not be able to visit an office to add their thoughts. I met a number of the residents and although the mood was earnest it was also upbeat, especially after they had contributed to the book.

“I heard from one resident who recalled a visit from the Queen in Lymington at the school on New Street, which is now occupied by St Barbe Museum, and another who reminisced about the passing of George VI.

“Without fail, residents all had their own stories.”

The Deputy Lieutenant for Hampshire, Hallam Mills DL Esq, accompanied the Chairman and shared particularly poignant moments in close conversation with the residents who remembered the Queen’s coronation, and some who had served in the military.