Essex County Council will be opening an electronic book of condolence following the announcement of the death of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, this morning (Friday, 9 April).

Councillor John Jowers, Chairman of Essex County Council, said: "On behalf of all Members of Essex County Council, we offer our sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family on the sad news of the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. We join with people across Essex in mourning his loss.

"He made an enormous contribution, at the side of the Queen, to the country, the Royal Family, and through the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, to Essex.

"In the year to March 2020, through the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, 40,391 hours of voluntary service to the local community were undertaken in Essex, with participants completing 37,999 hours of physical activity and 39,234 hours of work toward a skill."

A letter of condolence will be sent from the Chairman of the Council to the Queen's personal secretary, expressing sympathies from the County Council. Flags are being flown at half mast at County Hall.

You can access the Essex County Council book of condolence by using the link here.