Thurrock Council shares the nation's feelings of sorrow and loss at the announcement of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr James Halden said: "I offer my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the royal family on behalf of the whole Thurrock community at this difficult time.
"Millions of families, like mine, would have experienced the most profound pause today as we waited for news. This pause would have become great grief. However, it is my belief that this grief will yield for gratitude, thankfulness and joy for the life of the greatest Head of State.
"Many of our older residents may remember Her Majesty's visit to Tilbury, Chadwell St Mary, West Thurrock and East Tilbury following the flooding in the borough in 1953. This created a wonderful morale boost at a very challenging time for our communities.
"In 2012, over 30 street parties took place in the borough to celebrate Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee. And earlier this year, our communities took part in many celebratory Platinum Jubilee activities, including lighting beacons, opening a new footbridge bridge and members of our community being a part of the official Jubilee Pageant in London."
The Mayor of Thurrock will be sending a letter of condolence to His Majesty The King on behalf of the Members and officers of Thurrock Council and the people of Thurrock.
During the mourning period, flags will be flown at half-mast at the Civic Offices, Grays, at Tilbury Civic Square and at Coalhouse Fort.
A physical Book of Condolence for residents wishing to express their sympathies will be opened in the Civic Offices in Grays as of 10am, Friday 9 September.
Floral tributes to Her Majesty The Queen may be left at the Grays Park Memorial, in Grays Town Park or you may wish to make a donation to a charity of your own choice or to one of the charities of which Her Majesty was a patron.
There is more information on the council’s website at www.thurrock.gov.uk/HerMajestyQueenElizabethII, which will be updated as further information is confirmed.
Full official announcements from Buckingham Palace are provided at royal.uk