PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice said he was stunned when he awoke to hear the news on his radio alarm early yesterday.
"At first, it was not clear from the broadcast and I thought the Queen Mother may have died.
"Then came the horrible realisation that it was Princess Diana who had died in a road accident. It was unbelievable and incredibly sad. It was very difficult to take it in."
Mr Prentice said many questions would be asked in the days ahead about the role of photographers who pursue public figures and the right to privacy.
"This obviously was a contributory factor in her death," he added.
Burnley's Mayor, Coun Mrs Enid Tate, also recalled Princess Diana's growing concern over pursuit by the media.
"Now it seems they have chased her to her death. It is very sad," she said.
Mrs Tate went on: "It is a terrible tragedy.
"I particularly feel sorry for the two young princes who were clearly very close to their mother as she was to them.
"Princess Diana has had a sad life in many ways, with the break up of her parents, the death of her father and the many problems in her own personal life which saw a fairy story end in tragedy.
"It also seems tragic that her new close friendship was so short-lived."
Ribble Valley Council is inviting people to leave floral tributes on the law at the Castlegate entrance to Clitheroe Castle grounds.
The flowers will be sent to a charity later.
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