A ‘TRUE legend’ and stalwart of the Ribblesdale Cricket League has died aged 88.

Arthur Shaw, who had been involved in the cricketing world for more than 60 years, lost his battle with prostate cancer and non Hodgkin lymphoma on Thursday.

The grandfather-of-five was president of the Ribblesdale League right up until his death.

Just days before Mr Shaw passed away at his home in Roe Lee Park, Blackburn, with wife Peggy, 86, by his side, the couple celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

Tributes poured in for the former carpenter, who had started his car-eer in the Navy during the Second World War as a signalman on the Atlantic convoys.

Mr Shaw’s son Dave described his father as a loving family man who was dedicated to sport.

He said: “Dad has always been very, very sporty and he had played football in his youth. His brother Frank introduced him to cricket, which is where he had the greatest involvement.

“He played for the Lion Brewery where he worked for a long time and was captain of the first team from 1959 to 1963.”

Mr Shaw, a father-of-three, became vice-president of the Ribblesdale League in 1966 and was made president in 1984.

He was instrumental in developing the Blackburn Northern ground and changing rooms and was also responsible for making sure squash and all-weather tennis courts were installed.

When his cricketing career came to an end, Mr Shaw also took up golf, snooker and bowls.

He was also a lifelong Blackburn Rovers fan and had a season ticket for more than 50 years. When the Riverside stand was demolished, he kept his wooden seat at the bottom of his garden.

Dave said: “My dad was a lovely person and was very calm. He was always very supportive and very much a family man.

“He was very keen to know everything we were doing and loved hearing about the grandchildren.

“Dad had a real sense of humour and he knew everybody around Black-burn.”

Mark Rishton, from Baxenden Cricket Club, said Mr Shaw would be remembered for his jokes.

He said: “He was a true gentleman and stalwart of our league.”

Mr Shaw’s funeral will be held at Pleasington Crematorium on April 2 at 2pm. A celebration of his life will take place after the service at Blackburn Northern Cricket Club.

Families flowers only are requested but donat-ions can be made to Cancer Research UK.