Good afternoon and welcome to a busy new week.

We started the day with tragic news from the roads after a motorcyclist was killed on the M55. The motorway was closed this morning and diversions in place.

Meanwhile, a Preston man has been charged after a double stabbing in Hutton over the weekend.

And a Longridge school is partially closed today after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus.

It also was a busy weekend for police after they attended a house party and fined the organiser £10,000 for breaching coronavirus restrictions. 

And two men were also arrested in Chorley on suspicion of intent to supply cannabis with intent to supply drugs suspected to have been imported from the USA.

We'll be reporting from Manchester today as families of those lost in the terror attacks gather for the public inquiry. The parents of  the youngest victim, Saffie Roussos from Leyland, are calling for complete transparency as the hearings - which are due to last up to four months - go ahead.

There's been some good news this weekend too after Lancashire Post columnist  and former Camelot jester Steve Royle, from Chorley,  juggled his way into the finals of Britain's Got Talent, wowing all four judges. Well done Steve!

And as Blackpool's illuminations are now officially switched on after a glittering virtual ceremony proved a ratings hit. Will you be attending the extended illuminations season?

As always, please stay safe - it may be a corona-cliche phrase but we are not out of the grip of this pandemic yet, as the latest figures show.

Regards, Nicola Adam, deputy editor Lancashire Post

You can email me at nicola.adam@jpimedia.co.uk 

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