He died at a hospice near his home in Lytham St Annes on Sunday night, following a short illness.

BBC: Mr & Mrs gameshow host Derek Batey dies aged 84

But Williams, originally from Lytham St Annes, is keen to stress that reports of an imminent takeover are incorrect.

BBC: Investor confirms Blackburn talks

The firm announced it is to apply to resume fracking at its Anna's Road site in St Annes on Monday.

BBC: Lancashire shale gas 'could be worth billions'

Scout leader and school governor Thomas Westall from Lytham St Annes becomes a MBE for services to children and young people.

BBC: John and Penelope Clough

Her three-stroke triumph at Royal Lytham and St Annes in August made her the first Scottish woman to clinch victory in a major.

BBC: Scots golfer Matthew lands honour

Cuadrilla has applied to Lancashire County Council to frack for shale gas at its Anna's Road site in St Annes and Banks, near Southport.

BBC: Lancashire election candidates asked to oppose fracking

The firm has applied to Lancashire County Council to frack for shale gas at its Anna's Road site in St Annes and Banks, near Southport.

BBC: Lancashire's shale gas estimated at ?136bn by Cuadrilla

Four-time major winner Mickelson got a late invitation to compete in the European Tour event to complete final preparations for Royal Lytham and St Annes next week.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Elaine Bertenshaw from Lytham St Annes who is a volunteer for Lancashire Constabulary was also appointed MBE for services to policing and the community as was Burnley's Emma Hamlen, a volunteer for the youth offending team, for services to young people in Lancashire and Jacqueline McGrew, chair of Whitebirk Residents' Association in Blackburn, for services to the community.

BBC: John and Penelope Clough