TRIBUTES have been paid to a cricket stalwart who has died suddenly at the age of 74.

Eddie Hart was part of the Blackburn and District Amateur Cricket League for more than 40 years and served as treasurer and secretary.

The father-of-three and granfather-of-five also umpired week in, week out since 1969 and only started to scale back his extensive duties in the last few years.

His first involvement with the cricket league was back in 1947 when he used to attend games to watch his father play.

He served as treasurer from 1973 and stepped down as secretary after 20 years in 2011.

Born and raised in Blackburn, Eddie attended Blakey Moor School before accepting a job at Lancashire County Council in Preston in the rent department.

He soon moved to Blackburn Town Hall and up the ranks in the finance department to chief cashier and then head of payroll before retiring in the early 1990s.

Eddie, who lived in Bank Hey Lane South, met his wife Sylvia at King George’s Hall, Blackburn, where they went ballroom dancing, and married at St Gabriel’s Church in 1967.

As well as cricket, he was involved with the Blackburn and District Youth Football League for 45 years until the league merged with Hyndburn and Darwen.

Around 300 people packed into Blackburn Cathedral on Monday to attend a service celebrating his life after he passed away following a fall.

His son Peter, 46, said: “He was a very supportive dad and he loved spending time with his family. He was a man of detail and enjoyed being part of the administrative side of local sport.

“Dad was a man of integrity and strong faith and was involved in St Gabriel’s Church for a long time before moving to Blackburn Cathedral.

“He had a real passion for cricket and was a big member of the community.

“The service was a fitting tribute to my dad and it was nice that so many people attended from all areas of his life.

“He kept himself fit and was a keen walker and swimmer.

“My dad was even lucky enough to meet his hero Alfred Wainwright once.”