A splash of pimk in Blackpool farewell to a star who liy up life with her smile

HUNDREDS of fans joined family and friends for the funeral of singer Linda Nolan yesterday.

- By Tony Whitfield

A memorial for the Dublin-born star, who died last month aged 65, two decades after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, was held at St Paul's Church, Blackpool.

The Nolans had made the Lancashire town their home in the 1960s and Linda married her husband Brian Hudson at the church in 1981.

After 26 years together, he died of liver failure in 2007 after being diagnosed with skin cancer.

Fans, who had been invited by her family to attend to celebrate her remarkable life, applauded as the hearse carrying a pink glittery coffin arrived at the church.

In her eulogy, sister Denise NolanAnderson told mourners that she "would have loved all the fuss".

Linda found fame with the iconic 70s girl band The Nolans with Anne, 74, Denise, 72, Maureen, 70, Bernie and later Coleen, 59.

Bernie died from cancer in 2013 aged 52. Yesterday, the remaining sisters came together to say goodbye.