A LONGSTANDING cricket umpire who served the Ribblesdale League for almost 40 years has died.

Norman Berry was about to enter his 40th season of officiating before his death in hospital aged 77.

Mr Berry, from Clitheroe, was a keen sportsman and was also well known among football and golf supporters.

His wife Monica Berry, 72, said: “He was wonderful, he was a really great husband and a really great friend, he will be badly missed.

“He was always involved with sport at a community level, he loved it.

“He was very popular in the cricket leagues, he was well-known for being impartial and fair.

“We’ve had so many comments from people, all of them about what a fair man he was

“He was just so well respected by everyone.”

A member of Clitheroe Golf Club for 43 years, Mr Berry was also a keen footballer.

After playing a number of sports at youth level growing up in Sabden, he then spent around a decade as a referee in Lancashire leagues.

He officiated in the Ribble Valley Football League and was also on its committee until it folded in the 1980s.

Cricket teams from all across East Lancashire compete in the Ribblesdale Cricket League and tributes have poured in for the Mr Berry.

League umpires boss Mike Bridges said: “He was a true gent.

“He helped me at the start when I first became an umpire, he helped so many young umpires when they were starting out.

“We’ve had so many condolences and respects paid to him by clubs from all across the league.

“He was a very popular figure with so many.”

A spokesman for Great Harwood Cricket Club said: “We are very sad to hear the news of the passing of the umpire and a great friend of the club.”

Mr Berry also had a son called Steven with former wife Hazel.

The funeral will take place on Wednesday at 1.15pm at St Paul’s Church, Low Moor, Clitheroe.

It will be followed by service at Burnley Crematorium.