ENTERTAINER, animal lover and councillor Mort Allan has lost his long battle with cancer.

The 66-year-old from Heysham died on Monday at Royal Lancaster Infirmary, leaving behind his long-term partner Joan, whom he married earlier this year.

Mort's funeral is being held at 2.30pm tomorrow (Friday) at St Helen's Church in Overton, when friends and family will remember a much-loved and deeply respected man.

Born in Bolton, Mort had a difficult start in life but went on to become an entertainer, discovering Lisa Stansfield as a talent contest judge, and later becoming close friends with comedian Jim Bowen.

Mort's life in show business saw him spending time as an assistant manager with Mecca, touring the London clubs and hitting the comedy scene in the north as part of a comedy duo.

After a spell singing with a band in Manchester, he moved to this area when he became friends with Jim Bowen, becoming his company manager and touring with Bullseye.

Mort will also be remembered for his love of animals, having taken in abandoned dogs and tried to re-home them with caring owners for many years.

Four years ago he joined Lancaster City Council to represent the Overton ward as a Morecambe Bay Independent.

Independent group leader Cllr Shirley Burns was one of many friends and colleague to admit being 'deeply saddened' by news of Mort's death.

"He was enormously liked and well thought of by many people and was highly regarded by everyone," she says.

"Mort will be missed, not only by family and friends, but also by all the people from Overton and the District. The three things that were especially important to him were people, entertainment and Morecambe."