MOURNERS from across the world paid their respects to Baroness Thatcher today as she was finally laid to rest at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Leading figures from across Worcestershire were among 2,300 people to pack into St Paul’s Cathedral for a ceremonial funeral which passed off largely peacefully.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff described it as “the right service for the right occasion” while Worcester’s MP Robin Walker, whose late father Lord Peter Walker served in Mrs Thatcher’s cabinet, saluted it as “an historic day”.

The Queen, joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, was on hand for the ceremony, the first monarch to attend a former Prime Minister’s service since Winston Churchill in 1965.

The nation’s first female prime minister was given full military honours as the coffin bearing her body was brought to the cathedral in procession, through streets lined with mourners, on a gun carriage drawn by six black horses.

At St Paul's the congregation heard the Bishop of London Richard Chartres pay tribute to Lady Thatcher's “perseverance in struggle and courage.”

Prime Ministers past and present, the entire current cabinet and Chancellor George Osborne, who appeared to shed a tear during the 55-minute service, were also among those present.

Two heads of state, 11 serving world prime ministers and 17 serving foreign ministers were due to attend, with 170 countries represented in some form.

At the end of the service Lady Thatcher's family followed her coffin out of St Paul's and stood in a row at the bottom of the steps to the cathedral as it was placed into a hearse.

Mr Luff said: “It was entirely appropriate and a very human occasion for a remarkable woman.

“Lots of people I spoke to heard the cheers as the coffin left St Paul’s and that was the most emotional part of the day - it was the right service for the right occasion.”

Worcester-based Cynthia Crawford, Mrs Thatcher’s personal assistant, was also at the service as well as Malvern’s Michael Noakes, a painter who used to do portraits of the former premier.

Mr Walker said he was able to get a few words with Mrs Crawford after the funeral to offer his condolences.

“It was an historic occasion and everybody felt it was a very fitting service,” he said.

“The Bishop of London gave a fitting address and everything was as it should be.”

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin, who also attended, said: “It was a privilege to attend such a moving ceremony and the country can be proud of the immaculate organisation and a respectful service.

“She will be long remembered by the public as a strong woman, a strong leader and a fine public servant and I am sure everyone will remember it as a fitting tribute.”

Former West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer and North Herefordshire MP Bill Wiggin were also on hand for it.

Mr Wiggin said: "It was extremely dignified, and beautifully done - it was a real privilege to have been in attendance.

"It is entirely appropriate for people to come to a funeral to pay their respects, not to protest - I didn't see any trouble at all and I'm very glad people showed such a sense of decency for her."

More than 4,000 police officers were on duty to ensure it passed off largely peacefully, although some protestors did mingle with the crowds.

Despite some booing and anti-Thatcher banners along the route fears of widespread disturbances did not materialise.

Baroness Thatcher died last week at the age of 87 following a stroke.