Keen local sportsman and former professional rugby player will be missed in Riddlesden following his death from heart and lung problems on Sunday.

Stanley Welch, 72, of Granby Drive in Riddlesden had a long and varied interest in sport.

A one-time winger on the books of Batley Rugby League Club, Mr Welch played a number of first team games in the seasons of 1955-6 and 1956-7.

His son Nigel said: "He was a very keen sportsman all his life and through different phases of his life he enjoyed many different sports. From the rugby he went on to sprinting with Bingley Harriers, he enjoyed tennis and went on to play cricket with Riddlesden Cricket Club.

"He was captain and also president of Riddlesden Golf Club and in later years he took up crown green bowling - the house is cluttered with all his trophies," Nigel said.

Mr Welch moved from Bradford where he was born, to Riddlesden at the age of eight.He attended Riddlesden Church of England School and in 1942 went to Keighley Grammar School passing his 'School Certificate' in 1947.

He worked as a clerk on the railway before being called up for national service with the RAF.

Mr Welch worked for the housing department in Shipley before being promoted to the position of Keighley's Chief Director of Cleansing in 1958. In 1974 he was transferred to Bradford but took early retirement shortly after due to bad health.

Married in 1955, Mr Welch leaves a widow Shirley and his son Nigel.

Nigel added: "He was very proud of being a Yorkshireman and was a very colourful character. He was opinionated, but I think people respected him for speaking his mind.

"He had a long association with St Mary's Church in Riddlesden - for over 50 years and was church warden as well as helping with communion. It was an important part of his life."

Mr Welch's funeral service will be held today (Friday) at 11.15am at St Mary's Church in Riddlesden, and at Oakworth Crematorium at 12.15.