Sporting events around around Britain and Northern Ireland have been postponed as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

The Football Association announced today that all English fixtures this weekend would be postponed.

The Irish FA also announced that fixtures and all other organised football activity at all levels, would not go ahead.

This included a full programme of six Irish Premiership matches scheduled for tonight and tomorrow.

An Ulster rugby game due to take place in Glasgow today was also called off.

All of this weekend's rugby and hockey games in Ulster have also been postponed.

A spokesman for the IFA said: "As a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, this weekend's fixtures across all affiliated football in Northern Ireland, and all other organised football activity, at all levels, have been postponed.

Premiership Rugby announced that two matches due to take place today to open the league would be postponed.

However, all other games tomorrow and Sunday will go ahead as planned, with those present observing a one-minute silence and invited to wear black armbands.

In cricket, a decision was taken today that international, domestic and recreational fixtures would resume tomorrow.

Before each match, a minute's silence, with all players and coaches wearing black armbands.

The British Horseracing Authority cancelled all meetings today and the card at Doncaster, Chester, Lingfield, Chelmsford, Musselburgh and Ffos Las will not go ahead tomorrow.

All racecourses racing from Sunday and over the mourning period will see jockeys wear black armbands with a period of silence being observed before the first race at each meeting.

Meanwhile, the Mid Antrim 150 motorcycling meeting at Clough was due to go ahead tonight and tomorrow.

Organisers said: "After considerable talks with the appropriate authorities, the Mid Antrim 150 road race will be going ahead.

"This is a decision that has not been taken lightly. We will be paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II throughout the weekend. We hope that everyone can respect our decision".

Some councils in Northern Ireland also moved to close services including Lisburn & Castlereagh Council who made the decision to close its leisure and community facilities for four days. These include Dundonald International Ice Bowl, Lagan Valley LeisurePlex, Lough Moss Leisure Centre, and Glenmore Activity Centre.