A NATIONAL period of mourning has been declared after the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Buckingham Palace announced Prince Philip's passing, aged 99, at midday today (Friday).

Tributes have flooded across the nation as well as the memories from the years of service to his wife, The Queen, the country and the Commonwealth.

One of the Duke's greatest legacies was the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, which he founded in 1956, and has made a huge difference to many generations of children in Cheshire.

A Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme group was run out of Cheshire East Council Youth Support Service's offices in Crewe's Market Street.

The service was one of the leading providers of DofE Award expeditions in Cheshire offering outdoor adventures to help young people tackle challenges and learn new life skills.

Among Royal visits to Cheshire was the Prince's tour of Crewe in July 1987 where he opened the Crewe Heritage Centre, and along with the Queen took in the Bentley site, then under the banner of Rolls-Royce, and rail makers BREL.

The Queen and Prince Philip visited Congleton in 1972 as part of the town's 700 Charter Year celebrations.

Paying tribute, a spokesperson for Alsager Town Council, said: "The town council is saddened to hear of the passing of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.

"A condolence book will be opened at Alsager Civic on Monday 12th April.

"Floral tributes may be laid at the front of the Council Offices near the flagpole. We ask that where possible no plastic/cellophane is used.

"The flowers will be collected after the funeral and composted; the compost will be used to fertilise a tree which will be planted in his memory."

Reacting to the passing of Prince Philip, Fiona Bruce, MP for Alsager, said: "I and all in my office extend our heartfelt prayers for Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family on the news that His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh has passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

"He was a devoted consort and public servant, who gave his life to our country, and his legacy will live on for generations.

"My office joins with the country and the wider Commonwealth to mourn his loss."

Paying tribute, Girlguiding Alsager said: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, this morning. The creation of the DofE Award will be his life-long legacy and continuing inspiration to young people in the UK and around the world.

"Our sincere condolences go to Her Majesty The Queen."

Marking their respects, a spokesperson for Alsager Round Table said: "We are saddened to hear about the death of HRH Prince Phillip."

An Alsager Police spokesperson said: "Rest easy sir. What an extraordinary life."

Alsager Town Councillor Sue Helliwell, who laid some flowers next to the flagpole held at half-mast opposite the Alsager Civic in tribute, said: "Saddened to learn of the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

"My thoughts are with the Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family."

Fellow Alsager Town Councillor, Michael Unett, said: "I am sad to hear of the death of Prince Philip.

"The country has lost someone who had such character and had an extraordinary life dedicated to public service with his time in the Royal Navy during WWII.

"His role as Duke of Edinburgh, the opportunities he created for young people in the awards established in his name, and most of all for the devotion & duty to his wife, HRH The Queen, for more than seven decades.

"Deepest condolences to The Queen for her loss and to the entire Royal Family."

Today a spokesman for the Royal Family said: "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

"The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh and said: "We mourn today with Her Majesty the Queen. We offer our condolences to her, to her family. And we give thanks, as a nation, and a kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh."

Prince Philip and the Queen had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Their first son, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, was born in 1948, followed by his sister, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in 1950, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, in 1960 and the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, in 1964.

Prince Philip was born on the Greek island of Corfu on June 10, 1921.

His father was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, a younger son of King George I of the Hellenes.

His mother, Princess Alice, was a daughter of Lord Louis Mountbatten and a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.