Former Halifax and Bradford track announcer Terry Hardaker – the man with the roving mike – has died suddenly aged 70 while abroad in Gibraltar.

He was involved in the sport for more than 50 years, and only in February hosted, as usual, the annual World Veteran Speedway Riders’ Association Northern dinner at the Rock Inn in Holywell Green, Halifax.

In the 1980s, Hardaker worked alongside former rider Vic Lonsdale in producing some superb speedway videos, notably the Peter Collins Farewell Meeting.

Five-times world champion Ove Fundin, of Sweden, said on Facebook: “I will miss Terry's voice at the World Speedway Riders’ Association dinner.”

Terry’s funeral service took place at Park Wood Crematorium, Elland, and he leaves a wife Brenda, son Glenn and daughter Wendy.