A DARKENED seafront reflected the Fylde Coast's sadness as, for the first time in their peacetime history, Blackpool Illuminations were switched off on Sunday (August 31) to mark the death of Princess Diana.

One Fylde charity organiser said it was as though a light had gone out in people's lives.

Diana first won Fylde hearts when she splashed through torrential rain to chat cheerfully with crowds outside the Blind Society's HQ in South Shore in July 1991.

A year later, she was back to open the day unit at Trinity Hospice, Bispham, when she forged deep and lasting links, not only with the staff but with a young fund-raiser and cancer victim.

Within a month, at the height of the furore over the publication of Andrew Morton's revelatory book, Diana - Her True Story, the princess returned to the hospice privately to learn about its work and to strengthen those friendships.

Poignantly, hospice director Dr David Cooper had this month been looking forward to arrangements for the princess's third visit, to officially open its new Brian House children's unit.

"She phoned just a short time ago to ask about visiting again and we were awaiting her return from holiday to fix a date," said Dr Cooper.

"It is terribly sad. She captivated everybody here.

"If you knew her just from the tabloid press then I guess your impression would be on the one hand glamour and on the other, tragedy.

"But having spent a day with her in the hospice, which can be stressful, I know she was very comfortable with the patients, families and staff.

"She impressed us all with her sincerity, wit, sense of fun and good humour, and the deep love she had for those less fortunate than herself."

Blackpool Mayor Councillor Fred Jackson said: "On behalf of the borough council and the people of Blackpool I would like to offer our condolences to Princes William and Harry and the family of Princess Diana.

"The mayoress and I were privileged to meet her and we found her a very warm, loving and caring person.

"We know that on the Fylde Coast there's a very deep affection for her because of her involvement with local charities."

The princess also visited the Fylde offices of Relate, the marriage guidance charity of which she was then patron, in 1992.

Chairwoman Kath Hayward said: "She met some of our clients and watched a training session for our counsellors and we spent a really happy time with her.

"She was so interested in the work of our group that she was delightful to take round.

"It was really like taking my own daughter."

The charity, too short of cash to buy an expensive gift, instead presented her with Fylde souvenirs: a stick of Blackpool rock, Fleetwood kippers and Lytham shrimps.

"We had a laugh with her, it was a lighter moment in a hard-working day and I think she appreciated that," said Mrs Hayward.

"We're just terribly sad. We thought very highly of her.

"There was no doubting her sincerity, or her interest in the people who were going through problems that must have been similar to her own at that time.

"It's as though a light has gone out."

The princess, having learned it was Mrs Hayward's birthday the day of her visit, sent flowers the next day.

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