Good afternoon

Finally the government has made the decision and face masks will be compulsory in shops from July 24.

Let's hope this makes a difference, although many are asking, why not immediately?

Meanwhile, signs of normality are breaking out everywhere including the planning chamber where the go-ahead has been given to the tallest block so far at Preston's docklands at eight storeys - and a gated community of luxury homes in rural Lancashire has been given the boot.

But every day brings a new casualty of the lockdown, particularly in the arts sector. Today Longridge's much-loved Palace Cinema has been forced to make its staff redundant.

And from the court, the horrendous story of a elderly couple fleeced out of their very home by a  con-man, it's the stuff of nightmares and makes you want to hug your family tight.

Stay safe and we'll sharing lots of guidance and how to obtain and make masks, if you haven't already. 

Nicola Adam
Deputy Editor