Cannon & Ball star Bobby Ball has died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital after testing positive for Covid

Good afternoon,

Today we have shared the sad loss of a Lancashire and indeed a UK comedy icon.

Tributes have been pouring in for Bobby Ball from across the showbiz world after it was confirmed he died at Blackpool's Victoria Hospital after testing positive for Covid.

We will continue to share and update these as the day goes on. Sending condolences from our team to his family - we have interviewed him many times over the years and he was always a delight to work with.

Meanwhile another pub business has felt unable to continue during these difficult times and the whole county is on flood watch with more torrential rains expected.

The weather has already impacted the railway network and journeys between Preston and Edinburgh have been temporarily discontinued. Here's what the Met Office has to say about the weather.

And here's a story that has prompted much debate - the go-ahead has been given to social clubs to reopen to serve drinks without food, unlike pubs.

You can follow our live blog for all the latest on all these stories today.

Thankyou, as always, for helping to support local, sustainable. journalism right here in our community.

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Kind regards and have a happy Thursday,

Nicola Adam, Deputy Editor Lancashire Post

Twitter: @jabberingjourno

Email: [email protected]