TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known Cricket club treasurer who gave his local club decades of support.

Bill Tattersall devoted 60 years to Baxenden Cricket Club as player, committee member and treasurer.

He died at his home, aged 84.

The great-grandfather, of Hollins Lane, became a mainstay at the club after joining in 1950.

Mr Tattersall, a former Howard and Bullough’s toolmaker, also played for Peel Park Bowling Club and was a lifelong supporter of Blackburn Rovers.

The club’s first professional and former committee member Tom Barnes, 83, said: “I have been a friend of Bill’s since I came to Baxenden in 1953 and have seen all that he did.

“As well as playing, he was on the committee, he acted as treasurer and he was the club’s odd job man.

“Nothing was too much trouble and he has given 60 years to the club. It is a very sad loss to us all.”

Club welfare officer Stephen Simpson said: “He was always well spoken, such a nice man.

“He was the treasurer for nine years, but would do everything; mow the lawn, doing the wickets and sorting the kids out. "He had been married for 61 years and gave 60 years to his other love, the cricket club.”

Bill, whose funeral took place on Thursday, April 21, leaves his wife, Dorothy, and children, Derek and Diane.

Donations in his memory may be made to Baxenden Cricket Club or Peel Park Bowling Club.

All inquiries to Hyndburn Funeral Service, Queens Road, Accrington. Call 01254 233133.