Cricket legend Fred Trueman was toasted in his adopted home town by a lifelong pal in a new ale named after him.

Memories of the Yorkshire and England fast bowler were recalled by Fred’s former Yorkshire team mate and international Test umpire Dickie Bird after he had pulled the first pint of the new Trueman Ale at Skipton’s Copper Dragon brewery.

Raising his glass Dickie said: “If Fred had been here he’d have enjoyed himself. Fred, my old pal, wherever you are this is for you. Cheers.

“It’s a great honour to be able to pay tribute to a character who lit up the game of cricket and I’m sure Fred would have wholeheartedly approved of an ale being brewed in his name.”

Brewery boss Steve Taylor said: “We’ve been asked to make special brews several times but when Veronica Trueman asked us it was a request that we couldn’t turn down.”

Bottles of the Trueman Ale will be signed and numbered by sculptor Gordon Wilkinson and be available to guests at a gala dinner in Leeds on Wednesday, March 17, in support of the Fred Trueman Statue Appeal.