THE Royal Family is to receive a special book of condolence, following the death of the Queen Mother, from the passengers and ship's company of the Southampton superliner Oriana.

Around 2,000 names and messages of sympathy are in the book being sent to Clarence House, the Queen Mother's former London home.

Oriana was on course back to Southampton towards the end of her annual world cruise when news of the Queen Mother's death was relayed to the P&O Cruises vessel.

The ship's master, Captain Rory Smith, said: "Although the ship was away from the UK all our passengers and crew felt they wanted to be involved."