Flags at half-mast over many town halls for Margaret Thatcher

Shropshire Council and a number of town councils plan to lower their flags to mark Lady Thatcher's funeral on Wednesday.

The ceremony, which will be attended by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, will be held at St Paul's Cathedral.

The Union Flag at Shropshire Council's Shirehall headquarters has been at half-mast since Lady Thatcher's death following a stroke on Monday.

Flags in Ellesmere and Wem will also be lowered for the funeral.

In Ellesmere the flag at the market hall will be at half-mast and Mayor Alan Clarke said it was essential as a mark of respect.

In Wem, the Union Flag will be flown at half mast outside the town hall. Mayor Peter Broomhall said: "She altered this country and we want to show our respects."

Bishop's Castle town clerk Diane Malley, said they hoped to fly the flag despite the start of a £1 million revamp of the town hall.

Oswestry Town Council held a minute's silence but the Guildhall does not have a flag. Telford & Wrekin Council is also without a flagpole and has no plans to mark the funeral in any other way.

There are no flagpoles on the civic buildings in Craven Arms, Church Stretton or Madeley. Newport Town Council said it would not be lowering the flag as it does not fly the Union Jack, only the town crest.

Officials at Market Drayton, Whitchurch and Ludlow town councils said a decision on whether to lower their flags would be made nearer the time.

Shifnal mayor Councillor Eileen Briscoe said the town did have a flag.

Shrewsbury Town Council has no plans to mark the occasion while Howard Perkins, clerk at Wellington Town Council, said its flag would not be lowered.