You have been heard: Hundreds answer Covid questions as part of Gazette's Big Conversation

Today, and over the coming weeks, the findings will be examined and analysed inside these pages to give an insight into the way sandgrownuns are coping with this once-in-a-lifetime crisis, which has now claimed more than one million lives around the world – and around 250 here on the Fylde coast.

The answers will also put to those in positions of power, who have the ability to allay fears and act on concerns, as well as having the responsibility of serving their communities.

And you will be invited to have your say too.

Editor Gillian Parkinson said: “We wanted to find out how readers have coped with the last six months, what positive experiences they have had, and how they feel we can use that learning to shape our towns and cities in future.

“We want to support our communities to recover as we move out of the pandemic, and to ensure ordinary people have a say in what the future will look like.”

The results revealed that:

* A third of people have shunned the town centre, visiting a “lot less”, while 17 per cent have not been at all since lockdown;

* The majority say “visiting family” is important to their quality of life, followed by eating out, going on holiday, and heading to shops;

* People don’t feel comfortable catching public transport, despite face coverings being compulsory;

* Only a fraction have failed to adapt to life – such as work and school – online, with 44 per cent saying they have adapted “very well” and 36 per cent “fairly well”, though more than half say they’d benefit from help when using the web;

* More people are concerned about their household finances than not, while four in 10 fear for their job, with half cutting back on their spendingbut they want to support local businesses and will do that at Christmas;

* Almost 70 per cent of people think local hospitals should be given more funding;

* Almost half haven’t noticed a difference in the sense of community since the pandemic started, though 30 per cent say they think it’s grown stronger;

* Forty per cent say their mental health has been “slightly affected” while a quarter said their wellbeing has been “strongly affected”;

* Two-thirds fear for the future and are concerned about the impact of a potential second wave; and;

* Most aren’t sure whether they’re comfortable sending their children into school – with 30 per cent either “very comfortable” or “comfortable” and 25 per cent “not comfortable” or “not at all comfortable”.

Many of the findings were reflected UK-wide, with 11,000 readers of The Gazette’s army of sister titles answering the same questions.

Megan Wing, 23, from Blackpool, said: “I used to enjoy going out drinking, going to the gym, hanging out with friends, and going on holidays, so socialising was my favourite activity before the pandemic began.

"But it’s quite dull having to sit at your table and not being allowed to mingle or dance so it’s been affected a lot.

“Plus if it’s cheaper for people to stay at home and party than go out then it’s going to impact a lot of businesses.”

Debbie Miller, 40, of central Blackpool, added: “I’d say some people are getting ruder and are out for themselves.

“I’ve heard panic buying has started again, which is madness.

"I was in a shop the other day and I jokingly said to a worker it was a good job I didn’t need any toilet roll because they had none, and they said they had sold out in minutes.

"There are charities out there that are trying to help homeless people get the supplies they need, but if people start panic buying again then there’s going to be nothing for them.”

Michael Wood, 71, also from Blackpool, said: “I like horse racing betting but people are still not allowed to go to the stands and watch it.

"You can visit the betting shops in town but they’re very quiet.

“The only time it’s busy is when people are putting on their bets and then they instantly disappear again.”

Council leader Coun Lynn Williams said: “Dealing with the pandemic has been an extraordinarily difficult time for everyone but the support of the people and communities in Blackpool has been incredible.

“It has truly been a town-wide effort.”

Director of public health Dr Arif Rajpura added: “We understand people’s concerns about a potential second wave in the coming months and we have to work together to try and ensure that we can minimise the impact of the pandemic and save lives.”