Public advised to check Leicestershire events

The National Space Centre is illuminating its tower as a tribute

People who were due to attend events in Leicestershire and Rutland this weekend are being advised to check if they are still proceeding.

While some organisers have cancelled their plans, following the death of the Queen, others have made the decision to continue.

The government has said such decisions are at the discretion of organisers.

In Leicester, civic leaders laid wreaths and cathedral and church bells tolled at noon on Saturday.

Lord Lieutenant, Michael Kapur, laid a wreath at a ceremony in Green Dragon Square

Lord Lieutenant, Michael Kapur, took part in the ceremony at Green Dragon Square and was joined by Kevin Feltham, Leicestershire County Council Chairman, Rupert Matthews, Police and Crime Commissioner, The Rt Revd Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester, Nick Rushton, Leader of Leicestershire County Council, and Sir Peter Soulsby, Leicester City Mayor.

Later on Saturday, at 18:30 BST, a service of thanksgiving for the Queen's life will be held at St Mary de Castro Church.

On Sunday at 13:00, the proclamation of King Charles III will be read in Leicester by the High Sheriff.

More special services for the life of the Queen are likely to be held in the county in the coming weeks.

Books of remembrance are open across the city and counties

Books of condolence are open at County Hall and the Town Hall, among other locations.

Leicester mosque, the Masjid Mu'adh Ibn Jabal has opened a book of condolence for people from all faiths and will be open on Sunday, between 14:00 and 18:00.

It has also illuminated its interior purple as a tribute to the Queen.

Rutland County Council said books of condolence had been opened at the offices of Oakham Town Council, Uppingham Town Council and at All Saints Church in Oakham, as well as Oakham Castle.

Rutland's Proclamation will take place at 12:30 on Sunday.

Some sporting fixtures were postponed, including Leicester City's match against Aston Villa.

Tourist attractions across the counties were also paying their respects to the Queen.

The Queen made several visits to the region, including this 2008 visit to the University of Leicester

In Leicester, the National Space Centre is due to light up its rocket tower in purple in tribute to her life.

Dhara Patel, a space expert at the centre, said: "We know that the Queen and the late Duke of Edinburgh were advocates of science and scientific endeavour and their support in marking some of the major space exploration feats will be remembered fondly."

Belvoir Castle's Festival of the Horse is due to go ahead this weekend, but a two-minute silence will be held at the castle at 11:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

Leicester's Masjid Mu'adh Ibn Jabal is illuminated in purple as a tribute

The Duchess of Rutland said: "We have thought deeply over whether to continue with this weekend's Festival of the Horse and have decided that the event will go ahead.

"The Queen had such a profound love of horses, and we feel that the festival will provide a welcome opportunity for our community to come together in recognition of Her Majesty's 70 years of service.

"We will begin each day with a short service of remembrance, followed by two minutes of silence, before returning to our programme of events."

Village events, such as Hickling's annual scarecrow festival, are still due to proceed.

However, Love Loughborough said a dog show that was due to take place on Sunday had been postponed.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said some organisations and businesses may wish to proceed with events and were under no obligation to suspend them, but advised people to check public services and transport were operating as usual.