The Friends of Real Lancashire are planning sky high celebrations for Lancashire Day on November 27th

It’s that time of the year when we celebrate the red rose county and its splendid people. To get the party started, here are 20 of our favourite quirky characters.

Border collies Cosmo and Oscar from Lancaster are helping to change the lives of young people across the county

The show must go on, with a number of filmes in production in and around Lancashire and the Lakes

Springer spaniels Denzel and Kilo sniff out water leaks across the North West

George Mainwaring painted scenes he recalled from his childhood in Rochdale

Chorley-based Steve Royal came third on the ITV show and is set to appear in front of audiences across the UK next year

For a hundred years the Cenotaph as been the focal point for a nation’s grief, but few know its connection to Kirkby Lonsdale.

Blackburn-born Sara Foster has had a string of best-sellers on the other side of the world. With her latest novel now out, she reflects on her Lancashire roots.

Helen Granell-Watson cooked her way back from the grief of losing her mum to leukaemia and turned cooking into a passion during lockdown. Now she is helping budding home cooks creates dishes to impress.

It’s been a frustrating year for the new Queen’s Guide to the Sands who hasn’t been able to lead any walks, but has spent plenty of time in Morecambe Bay.

Much of Lancashire’s historic wealth was dependent on slaves – now a Liverpool museum is working to show that slavery is still a problem.

Shops, businesses and attractions across Lancashire and the Lake District have adapted and evolved during the Covid crisis and many are now open again to support their communities. There has never been a better time to show your love for your local businesses.

A mum of three in Longridge is helping you to support local shops – and other business stories from around the county.

Could you provide a loving forever home for a dog with a heart-rending story?

A mum from Standish is using her experience of hair loss to help others

Joe Foster, the founder of Reebok on the firm’s humble beginnings in Bolton

A former marine from Wigan went up in the world after he learned the ropes of a new career

Mr Ian Murphy, Headmaster at Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall – a leading co-educational Catholic boarding and day school in Lancashire - discusses the advantages of boarding for both the pupils and their parents.

Lindsay McCrae started watching birds in the Lake District as a young boy and he is now one of the most well-travelled wildlife cameramen in the business.