A village with just 35 residents has crowned itself Britain's most royalist parish after filling its condolence book to the Queen Mother in a week.

Last week, Father Roger Russell put the 12-page book in the entrance of Coombes Church, near Lancing, for people to sign.

While apathy reigned in much of Britain, villagers and visitors flocked to pen their tributes.

Resident Jenny Passmore said: "We have completely run out of room for people to write. We had to ask Fr Russell to supply more sheets.

"We are very royalist in Coombes. We're country people and the royal family means a lot to us.

"The Queen Mother was a great example to us all. It's sad to see so much apathy."

More than 150 people have gone to the 11th Century church to sign the specially-headed A4-size pages, including most of the village's residents.

Fr Russell said: "When there has been a death some means of marking it and expressing feelings of sorrow is always important."