Duke of Edinburgh's life of public service 'was unparalleled'

The Duke of Edinburgh has been hailed in the West Midlands for his sense of "duty" and a life devoted to "public service".

Prince Philip's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday.

David Jamieson, Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, said his influence had "had a profound impact on our country".

Birmingham's Lord Mayor, Mohammed Azim, meanwhile described his service to the Queen and country as "unparalleled".

Flags across the region are being flown at half-mast following the duke's death.

He visited the area many times over the years, including in the wake of the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings when he visited victims in hospital.

Prince Philip visited victims at Birmingham General Hospital on 25 November 1974

Just over 40 years later in 2015, he returned to the city with the Queen to visit the newly developed New Street Station, where a memorial to the bombing victims has since been installed.

Prince Philip and the Queen at Birmingham New Street station after it was redeveloped in 2015

The Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, John Crabtree, said news of the prince's death was received with "great sadness", commending his "terrific" service.

"His Royal Highness was a frequent visitor to the West Midlands and the people of this county welcomed him with great warmth," Mr Crabtree said.

"He had a wide variety of interests and supported many sporting events held here in the West Midlands, as well as business and arts projects."

Philip on a visit to Lewis's department store in Birmingham in 1970

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street also paid tribute to the duke, saying he was "deeply saddened" to hear of his death.

"My thoughts are with the Royal family at this awful time," he said.

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Liam Byrne, Labour's candidate for the West Midlands Mayor and MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill, described the prince as "an extraordinary public servant" and "a devoted husband" to the Queen.

In 1991, the duke visited a new housing development in Handsworth

The duke joined the Queen for a visit to Birmingham in July 2012 for her Diamond Jubilee

Shaun Bailey, MP for West Bromwich West, remembered Prince Philip as "the embodiment of duty and service".

The town's other Conservative MP, Nicola Richards, also paid tribute, calling him "a symbol of Britain's decency and courage".

"Prince Philip will be remembered for generations to come as a royal who had a profound sense of duty," she said.

Prince Philip also visited Birmingham in 2005, after a tornado caused widespread damage across the south of the city