A leisure centre has closed after a long-serving lifeguard collapsed and died while on shift.

The Blackburn Sports and Leisure Centre has announced it will be closed all day today (December 22) following the death of a long-serving member of staff last night as a mark of respect.

A spokesperson for the leisure centre said: "The centre was closed last night (December 21) following the sudden collapse of one of our well-loved lifeguards who sadly passed away.

"Colleagues at Blackburn with Darwen Leisure are naturally devastated. We are closing the centre as mark of respect and to allow colleagues some time to come to terms with the loss.

"To all our members and customers we respectfully ask for your patience at this sad time. Our sincerest condolences are with family, friends and colleagues."

Customers and other people affected have been contacted directly and the centre will re-open at 6am tomorrow (Friday, December 23).