Congleton MP Fiona Bruce, whose constituency includes Sandbach and Alsager, has paid tribute to the Queen and highlighted her deep Christian faith.

Fiona said: "Her Majesty's dedicated selfless service over seven decades has earned the respect and gratitude of us all.

"The Royal Family are very much in our thoughts and prayers at this time."

Her comments come after she praised the late Monarch in the House of Commons in front of other MPs at the weekend.

She said: "It is a privilege to pay tribute on behalf of my Congleton constituents to Queen Elizabeth II's life of dutiful service.

"How did the holder of such high office, with the rightful adulation of millions across the world, sustain for more than seven decades a life of such dedicated and selfless service to others?

"I suggest that it was because she recognised, in a very real and personal way, that there is a higher authority even than her own—an authority by whom she was called to her role and to whom ultimately she was accountable.

"The Queen's example of servant leadership is unparalleled in our time. In many of her Christmas broadcasts, she spoke publicly, clearly and baldly of her Christian faith, and she was loved and respected for it by many.

"Christmas broadcasts are the one occasion for which a monarch can write their own speech and convey their innermost thoughts; she spoke of the importance of family and small acts of kindness.

"Although the Queen had a deep and enduring Christian faith, she was mindful of the importance of freedom of religion or belief for all. Indeed, she was ahead of many.

"In 2014, she spoke about how we need to respect freedom of religion or belief for all faiths, a view shared by her son and successor King Charles III. May she rest in peace. God save the King."