A former Roly Polys dancer and Coronation Street star has died aged 87.

Tributes have been paid to Mo Moreland, best known as the lead dancer in comedy dance troupe The Roly Polys, devised by late comedian Les Dawson.

The star died after a long illness at a nursing home on the Fylde coast.

Mo also appeared in Coronation Street, as well as the Little and Large Show, and Super Gran.

Leading the tributes, Tracy Dawson, wife of Les, said: "I'm missing her terribly because she supported me so much, I'm heartbroken.

"The lovely thing was they played the Roly Polys and Les to her while she passed away."

Tracy added: "She was wonderful and I'll miss her deeply."

Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket, who appeared on long-running BBC show The Good Old Days as well as game show Bullseye, paid tribute on his X (Twitter) page.

He wrote: "Mo was a great comic, singer [and] dancer. Saddened to hear of the passing of a great stage trouper."

Mo was born Maureen McCluskey in 1936 and married singer Roy Moreland in 1959.

She first performed on stage aged three and attended the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.

At 4ft 11in tall, she performed as 'The Mighty Atom' and was a skilled tap dancer.

Mo appeared in pantomimes and was known for her charity work, sitting on the committee of 'Cheerful Sparrows' to help socially disadvantaged people. 

She was also president of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. 

Charlotte Dawson, daughter of Les, wrote on Instagram: "Heartbroken beyond words.

"My Mo. I've been dreading this day since I was born. It was always going to come but I never wanted it to.

"For those who do not know my Auntie Mo was my Mum and Dad's bestest friend (she basically became my Dad when he died).

"An icon. She was the roly poly out of the roly poys.

"She sadly had Alzheimer's and was in a home for the last 10 years."

The Roly Polys enjoyed huge success on the Les Dawson TV show, meaning the end of Mo's act with husband Roy.

He retired from showbusiness to run The Moreland Hotel, Blackpool, which was opened by pal Les.