EAST Lancashire's community leaders reacted with sadness at the news Princess Margaret had died.

Leader of Lancashire County Council Hazel Harding said her death was tragic. She added: "One can only feel sympathy for the family and the friends of Princess Margaret in these tragic circumstances.

"Many people will have fond memories of her when she was younger. It must be particularly difficult for the Queen Mother. The death of your child must be awful, no matter how old they are they are still your children."

Mayor of the Ribble Valley Coun Gwen Pye added: "I am very shocked and saddened at this news. My thoughts go out to her family. At a time when people are getting ready to celebrate the life if the Royal Family with the Queen's Jubilee, this is a great shock to all."

Ribble Valley Council leader Peter Redpath said: "This is a tragedy for the Royal Family. It is very sad news."

Mayor of Hyndburn Coun David Parkins said: "The death of a family member comes as a huge shock to anybody and my deepest sympathy goes out to the Royal Family at this sad time.

"I hope they cope with this tragedy, which comes just before the Queen's Golden Jubilee."

While Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe said everyone in Hyndburn would be saddened. He said: "I think it is very sad, especially at the start of the jubilee celebrations.

"She has had a controversial and in many ways sad life, especially in the last few years.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans added: "I have seen her at a few Buckingham Palace parties so this news is very, very upsetting.

"It is enormously sad for the Queen, especially in her jubilee year and, of course, coming so close to the anniversary of the death of her father.

"I only hope the Royal Family, the princess' children and Lord Snowdon, are strengthened by the support of the nation at this time."

The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters, said: "I am very sorry to learn of Princess Margaret's death and send my sympathy to the Queen and her mother, not least in this Golden Jubilee year.

"Princess Margaret did not enjoy good health for some time but in her earlier years she had done so much to support organisations like Girl Guides and other projects particularly in the fields of the arts. May she find peace after a life that was not without its troubles." Coun John Williams, mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, said: "This is a terribly sad loss."

"I will make sure that the condolences of the people from Blackburn with Darwen are passed on to Buckingham Palace. I am sure the fact it is jubilee year will make the pain even greater for the Royal Family."

Sir David Trippier, a former high sheriff of Lancashire and MP, said: "It is terribly sad.

"She was the patron of the NSPCC which I am heavily involved with also and I have met her on a few occasions.

"We have all felt sad about her illnesses over the past couple of years and our thoughts at this time must be with the Royal Family."

Coun Akhtar Hussain, a Blackburn with Darwen councillor, spoke on behalf of the town's Asian community.

He said: "It is very sad news. She has suffered two strokes and has to go through a lot.

"It is a sad loss for the whole nation and the death will sadden the whole Asian community."