CALLS have been made for a memorial to be placed in Romsey to remember the late Countess Mountbatten of Burma, who died earlier this week.

Born Patricia Mountbatten, the countess passed away on Tuesday, aged 93, at her home in Kent.

Now Romsey mayor Ian Hibbert has said discussions will be taking place to decide if and how the countess will be properly remembered.

However, he added that it is too early to say if it would happen, or what it could be.

The countess, mother of Lord Brabourne, was a regular face in Romsey over the years, having lived at the Broadlands Estate for many decades.

While living in the market town, she was married to John Knatchbull, the seventh Baron Brabourne. A celebrated film producer, Lord Brabourne, who died in 2005, worked on films such as A Passage To India and Death On The Nile.

They had eight children together.

The countess was also the Duke of Edinburgh’s first cousin and a third cousin to the Queen

Cllr Hibbert said: “I was with great sadness that we heard the announcement of the countess’ passing.

“The town of Romsey had a long association with her.

“Despite moving to Kent, the countess was still a frequent visitor to Broadlands and always took interest in issues affecting the town.”

Romsey and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes added: “I was saddened to hear of the passing of Countess Mountbatten.

“The Mountbatten family has a strong and proud history in Romsey and I am sure the whole town mourns their loss.

“Her charitable works over the last several decades, particularly with bereaved families, have provided help to so many and through her own tragic experiences she was able to improve the lives of others.”

In 1979 the countess suffered serious injuries when the IRA blew up a boat she and her family were on, off the coast of Sligo.

The Countess’ father, Earl Mountbatten, her 14-year-old son Nicholas Knatchbull and her mother-in-law, the Dowager Lady Brabourne, were all murdered. A local boat boy, 15-year-old Paul Maxwell, also died.

Her husband Lord Brabourne and Nicholas’ twin brother Timothy sustained serious injuries.

Flags were also at half-mast at The Mountbatten School in memory of the Countess this week.

Executive headteacher Heather McIlroy said: “The Mountbatten family has always been a great supporter of the school.

“The countess was particularly generous with her time and many colleagues remember her frequent visits to the school.”

“In 1983, she opened our largest teaching block, the Brabourne Building. The people of Romsey will recall her dignity and stoicism following the murder of her father, mother-in-law and son by the IRA.

“Since that time, her experience has helped others through her significant charity work helping bereaved parents.

“The school will pay tribute to her in our annual Founder’s Day Service in Romsey Abbey on June22.”

She was godmother to the Prince of Wales. The then Princess Elizabeth, was one of her bridesmaids at her wedding in Romsey in 1946.

The Countess used her own experience to help other bereaved parents, through her support of Child Bereavement UK and Compassionate Friends.