York skiffle fans were devastated today to learn that music legend Lonnie Donegan has died.

More than 800 local fans of the 71-year-old skiffle king were disappointed last night when his show at the city's Grand Opera House was cancelled.

They were told the star, whose hits included My Old Man's a Dustman, had suffered a slipped disc.

But it emerged this afternoon that Mr Donegan, who had suffered a series of heart attacks, died in Peterborough at about 2.30am yesterday.

He had been complaining of a bad back shortly before he became unwell and died shortly afterwards. His wife and son were with him.

Updated: 16:47 Monday, November 04, 2002