A LEGENDARY West Indian cricketer has made a return to the Lancashire League cricket club where he played more than 50 years ago.

Sir Wes Hall visited Accrington Cricket Club to speak to old team mates, club legends and current players as part of a special visit as part of the league's 125th anniversary.

Sir Wes, now 80, spent three years at Thorneyholme Road taking 329 wickets and scoring 1159 runs between 1960-62.

He was joined at the special event by former Accrington, Lancashire and England opener David Lloyd who took part in a question and answer session with his former club-mate.

More than 50 people attended packed into the club's bar to hear stories of the their time in the Lancashire League.

Sir Wes, 80, said: "It was an eye opener. Fast bowling is 50 per cent inspiration and 50 per cent perspiration.

"It was raining the first game I played, I was saying to the umpire are we going to go off?

"I used to think I knew every blade of grass at Accrington and that feeling came back.

"Even though I can't run in spirit I thought I could take off and take a few wickets. Accrington means a lot to me.

"Whether it was test cricket or playing for Accrington, I enjoyed myself."

He was called 'the greatest fast bowler of all time' by one of the guests in attendance.

Mr Lloyd, known as Bumble, talked about Sir Wes' arrival to Accrington, being taken to his first test match by him, and being given one of his first bats from him.

The former England international and cricket pundit recalled memories of 'playing on Higham's and King George's playing fields'.

Mr Lloyd said: "Sir West is a legend of the game. It was a vintage time for Lancashire League Cricket.

"It was a watershed moment. It is a fantastic night, it brings back a real nostalgia and memories.

"As a young player I was in great hands here."

Sir West, from Barbados, featured in a recent BBC Four documentary 'Race and Pace: The West Indians in East Lancashire' on how Lancashire League professionals over the last 90 years have challenged attitudes to race.

Accrington Cricket Club chairman Rod Kenyon said Sir Wes made a big impact at the club.

He said: "It's a great honour for us to see him back at the club. He left quite an impression on the club and we have many happy memories.

"He was a very friendly man, but he looked like a giant bowling at 100mph. But he got on with everybody."

Sir Wes also revealed he would be back in Accrington in June for a new project.

On the evening a presentation was also held by The Lancashire Cricket League to gain support for its National Lottery for its project.

Title ‘The Lancashire League Experience: Celebrating 125 Years of the Lancashire Cricket League’, it aims to celebrate and preserve the heritage of the Lancashire Cricket League, which turned 125 years old this year.