We’d like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas.

Christmas is a time to celebrate and reflect.

This year, as many before, has been an extremely busy one for the Blog Preston team and the city as a whole.

While this time is a happy time, with loved ones close and the spirits and food flowing – it’s also a time touched with sadness.

We have a duty to report on the light and shade of the city.

This year has seen the city lose one of its strongest ambassadors, in Ben Ashworth, and recently one of its most knowledgeable sons, Paul Swarbrick.

So we’d like to take this time to reflect on those we hold dear.

We wish all our readers a happy, healthy and very Merry Christmas and all the very best for 2018.

From Ed, Luke, Olivia, Ben, Paul and all the team