Waterstones sign fell and killed bookseller in Blackpool Published duration 13 January 2015

media caption Eyewitness Mark English: "We tried our best... to try and free her"

A woman who was killed when a Waterstones shop sign fell on her was a bookseller at the store.

Margaret Sheridan, 68, from Singleton, Lancashire, was pronounced dead at the scene after the Blackpool store sign fell on her on Monday evening.

A Waterstones spokesman said she was "a much-loved and well-respected colleague".

A joint investigation by Lancashire Constabulary and Blackpool Council is under way into the incident.

It is unclear if the accident on Bank Hey Street was weather-related.

Witnesses reported a sign at the front of the store had fallen off at about 17:30 GMT and Ms Sheridan was trapped underneath as members of the public tried to lift it up.

'Big crash'

A shop assistant, who works nearby, said the street "is known for being a bit of a wind-trap".

"It's a very, very windy street. It's not the first sign to fall down," said the woman, who did not want to be named.

"I just heard a big crash and came over to have a look.

"I said 'thank goodness no-one is underneath it'. And then I realised this poor lady was underneath.

"It was very, very upsetting."

image caption Blackpool councillor Gillian Campbell said her thoughts were with the victim and her family

The street remains cordoned off while police continue their investigations.

Councillor Gillian Campbell, Blackpool Council's cabinet member for public safety and enforcement, said: "We can confirm we will be providing support to the police in their investigation into the tragic death

"The investigation is now under way and as such we will not make any further comment on the circumstances of the incident at this stage."