Stalwart cricketer and former president of Glusburn cricket club has died aged 80, after a short illness.

Jack Filkin started his career at Sutton cricket club, moving to Gargrave and captaining that side to a number of successes, and enjoying a spell at Skipton before returning to the Craven League.

Mr Filkin held the Craven League's wicket-keeping record of six victims in one match for a number of years and was proud to pass on the honour to his grandson Andrew, the current record holder, 50 years later.

He was a former president of Glusburn CC, and was particularly involved with junior cricket inspiring his son Roy and grandsons Andrew and Steven, to follow suit.

Unfortunately he died before he had chance to see the club's new pavilion, for which the keys were handed over on the day Mr Filkin died. He had been given a preview of photographs of the building nearing completion.

Born in Cross Hills, Mr Filkin spent all of his life in the South Craven area, including Sutton and Keighley.

He started work in the engineering industry after leaving school, and moved on to a directorship of Atlas Engineering Company in Keighley. He remained in engineering until his retirement, when he was a volunteer for Bradford Sitting Service, which provides relief for carers.

Mr Filkin enjoyed visiting the elderly people, having time for a chat and a cup of tea, and was still very active with the charity in his latter years.

He was married twice, first to Annie with whom he had one son. After Annie died, he married Ruby - the couple had known each other all their lives growing up in the same community, and had spent 34 happy years together.

They enjoyed cruising, and Mr Filkin loved Egypt in particular, visiting it four times. He was also a member of Cross Hills conservative club and the former president of the Keighley Association of Engineers.

But his real love was sport and he enjoyed watching as well as playing it. He had previously played football with Sutton United and liked to watch snooker as well.

The current chairman of Glusburn CC, Geoff Seal paid tribute to Mr Filkin, who he said was highly regarded.

"He was a loyal supporter of the club, and he enjoyed watching and supporting the young members. He had been an exceptionally talented cricketer, but rarely talked about himself," he said.

"Certainly he was a super leader and a role model for young people. He was very well respected."

The funeral will be held on Tuesday at St Thomas's Church, Sutton, at 1pm followed by a private cremation at Skipton.