PATRIOTIC Gina Barnash was today catching up on the Queen Mother's funeral procession after TV repairmen spoilt her enjoyment of the big day.Television pictures of the procession were broadcast around the world, but in Ipswich, Mrs Barnash was left starting at a blank screen when the repairmen moved her aerial.

By Nick Richards

PATRIOTIC Gina Barnash was today catching up on the Queen Mother's funeral procession after TV repairmen spoilt her enjoyment of the big day.

Television pictures of the procession were broadcast around the world, but in Ipswich, Mrs Barnash was left starting at a blank screen when the repairmen moved her aerial.

Workmen, who were sub-contracted on behalf of Ipswich-based TC Aerials, were working on the aerial on Friday morning.

Mrs Barnash, who shares a communal television aerial in her Civic Drive flat, said the incident occurred at the most crucial point of the service.

She said: "They were moving the aerial, which had been on the scaffolding, but during the funeral procession, the problems started.

"Just as the coffin was going to go in to Westminster Hall, the screen went all snowy. I heard the guys on the roof and I went out to speak to them.

"I said: 'I'm watching the Queen Mother's funeral' but one of them said 'we shouldn't be long, you can watch it later'.

"He said 'You'll have to see it later…it's only her….she's dead anyway….she's old, I've got no time for her anyway'.

"I called him a disrespectful pig and told him this is history in the making"

Mrs Barnash said that the aerial repairmen told her they had money to earn and said they would only be five minutes.

Mrs Barnash, who had been watching coverage of the procession for most of the morning and said her enjoyment of the historic event had been taken away from her.

"I was so annoyed that I phoned TC Aerials and the response was even worse. A man there said 'I've got no time for the royal family, they cost the country a fortune.' I just wish they could show a little respect."

Mark Giddens, company director of TC Aerials said the workmen were sub-contracted by another company to work on behalf of his company. He said that he had suspended future work to the company involved and they would not be paid for it.