Linda Nolan's sister Anne wipes away tears as she makes emotional plea ahead of memorial

Linda Nolan's sister Anne had one plea for fans and the people of Blackpool as they prepare to lay their beloved family member to rest today (Saturday February 1st).

The Dublin-born chart topper sadly died in hospital on 15 January aged 65, with her family at her side after losing her battle with cancer - after fighting the disease for two decades.

A memorial service for Linda is due to take place at St Paul's Church in Blackpool, at 10:30am, which is the same meaningful venue where she married and laid her own husband Brian Hudson to rest.

Her sister Anne took to BBC Breakfast as part of a pre-recorded tribute on Saturday, to celebrate her late sister and her achievements but also had a message for people hoping to attend today. She outlined: "Everyone is welcome."

"Please be there if you can, if you can make it. She would have loved to have seen as many people as possible," urged Linda's sister.

The hitmaker and her famous siblings have been overwhelmed by all the support and love they've received following the announcement of Linda's death. Anne explained: "It's been amazing everyone's been phoning and sending cards and that's how it's been. Everybody's been amazing.

"We're so grateful. I mean they lit up the tower [Blackpool Tower] when she passed away, the tower was lit up in pink. I think she would have been thrilled if she knew what was happening."

Anne went on to discuss the location for Linda's funeral and it's significance, with Linda and her late husband Brian tying the knot in the same church back in 1981.

Speaking in the same tribute interview, Linda said: "Yes they were married in that church and then when Brian passed away, Linda had his funeral there as well," as she began to wipe away tears.

In 1979 Linda was introduced to Brian and they were married just two years later. He was also the Nolans' tour manager until 1983 and also adopted the role of Linda's manager after she exited the group, launching her solo career.

The pair were married for 26 happy years until his death on 21 September 2007, after he passed away at the age of 60, after suffering liver failure and skin cancer. According to Anne, the pair were pretty much inseparable until the day he died.

Before losing her husband in 2007, Linda also received the heartbreaking news she had breast cancer in 2005, with the star undergoing a mastectomy as part of her treatment for breast cancer in 2006.

Linda confessed in a previous interview with the Mirror that Brian had helped her through her hardest times when battling the illness.

She admitted: "I always think if he was here, he'd sort it. When I had cancer in 2006, I'd wake up in the night feeling rubbish and he'd rub my back, giving me what I needed. I miss him every day. I had depression when I lost him and I still suffer now, but it's under control."

BBC Breakfast airs every day on BBC One from 6am.