A FORMER Oswaldtwistle cricketer and avid spectator has died.

Tributes have been paid to Stuart Williams who played for Oswaldtwistle Immanuel Church Cricket Club and still holds the record batting average for the Ribblesdale league.

He got involved in the club in 1967 and stopped playing in the late 80s but continued to follow the team and could often be seen at the ground in New Lane. He also followed Church Cricket Club.

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The 78-year-old died on Saturday at Spring Hill Nursing Home from cancer.

Mr Williams's brother Gordon, 75, who also played, said the pair grew up facing the cricket ground in New Lane.

He said: "Stuart still holds the record batting average for the league. It was a 27 year old record and he broke it.

"He was really talented and it was a big part of his life. His great passion was cricket.

"We used to go on cricket holidays and would watch county cricket as well as local leagues."

After retiring from cricket he played for the Immanuel Church Bowling Club which he gave up about four years ago due to ill health.

Mr Williams was an uncle to four and lived to see the birth of his great great niece last month.

He worked for the National Coal Board in Altham and then in the wages department at Blackburn with Darwen Council.

He was also a church warden at Immanuel Parish Church and groundsman at the cricket club for a number of years.

Stuart Hindle, 70, club president, described him as a pleasant character who would always wear his blue anorak.

"He was very knowledgeable especially about the game," he said.

"He had his views and was not afraid to say what he thought."

Martin Heyes, 58, chairman, said: "He had a great sense of humour but was serious about his cricket.

"He will be sorely missed. He was a feature at the club - a real stalwart."

Mr Williams's funeral will be held at Immanuel Parish Church on Wednesday, July 26 from 11am.