SHROPSHIRE MP Owen Patterson has paid tribute to Prince Philip – calling the Duke of Edinburgh an “extraordinary” public servant who inspired generations of young people.

Mr Paterson, the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, also touched on Prince Philip’s “amazing marriage” to Her Majesty The Queen following the death of her husband, aged 99, on Friday.

“His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was an extraordinary public servant, representing the UK and the Commonwealth at home and around the world on behalf of her Majesty The Queen,” Mr Paterson, who has been MP for North Shropshire since 1997, said in a statement on his website.

“Theirs was an amazing marriage of more than seven decades and the thoughts of all of us must be with Her Majesty and The Royal Family on this sad day.

“As a naval hero, at the Battle of Cape Matapan, he was Mentioned in Despatches and in his later years he inspired generations of young people through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Most of all, he gave steadfast public and private support to Her Majesty The Queen through her years of unstinting service to the UK and the Commonwealth.

“As Her Majesty put it at the time of their Golden Wedding Anniversary, we ‘owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know’.

“His Royal Highness will be greatly missed and I send my heartfelt condolences to all those who knew and loved him.”