Only 42 people signed two books of condolence for the Queen Mother in the 24 hours after they were made available.

The low turnout at the town halls in Brighton and Hove was in marked contrast to the aftermath of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, when mourners queued to pay their respects.

The books were available for signing from midday on Tuesday. By noon yesterday, 19 entries had been made in the Brighton book and 23 in Hove.

Town hall workers said most had been left by elderly people. In Eastbourne, 48 people had signed the town's book and in Worthing the figure was 70.Brighton and Hove Mayor Harry Steer said the low turnout could have been because people did not know about the books, even though details of their availability were published in The Argus on Tuesday.

Councillor Steer said: "I am sure many, many people would welcome an opportunity of putting their names to the books. I have written to the Queen on behalf of the city expressing our condolences.

"It is not quite the same as when Diana died, who was in the full bloom of life."

Green Councillor Rik Child said the Queen Mother had meant a lot to the generation which lived through the Second World War but she had outlived most of them.

He said: "She means less to many of the generations that have come afterwards. There is a very different mood in the nation now."

Most of those who signed the book at Eastbourne town hall were civic figures, including mayor and mayoress David and Jane Stevens.

Mrs Stevens said: "Perhaps more people will turn up when news gets round a book has been set up."

Mayor of Worthing Valerie Sutton thought people had not been queueing up to give tributes because they had not organised themselves after the bank holiday weekend.

She said: "I think there will be far more signatures over this coming weekend and on the day of the funeral.

After Princess Diana's death Brighton Pavilion was swamped with wreaths and bouquets.

More than 450 people signed a book of condolence in Worthing the day it was opened and a 200-page book in Bognor filled up in two days.