Hundreds of mourners were expected to pay their respects to Jade Goody as a Book of Remembrance was opened in her memory today.

At rest: Jade Goody will be buried next week

Well-wishers can visit St John the Baptist church in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, to sign the book in honour of the reality TV star, 27, who died from cancer on Sunday.

Tribute: well-wishers can sign a book in St John's church

The white book, inscribed "In memory of Jade Cerisa Lorraine Goody 1981-2009", will be given to Goody's family.

The church, where Goody's funeral will take place on 4 April, said it would be open every day and hoped many would visit to sign the book or light a candle for her. It has also allocated an area for people to leave flowers, which will later be placed in the churchyard.

Gwyn Herd, who works at the church, said: "Judging by the calls and emails I have received I would think there will be hundreds of people coming here."

Anna Woods, 35, who lives near the church, arrived there early this morning.

She said: "I've met Jade a couple of times and I wanted to pay my respects." Goody asked to be buried in her wedding gown and her mum Jackiey, 51, has dressed her in it. "She looked so beautiful," she said.