A LIFELONG member of Baxenden Cricket Club, and one of the management team of the Ribblesdale League, is recovering in hospital on the island of Tenerife after suffering a stroke.

Jim Duckworth, 71, of Willows Lane, Accrington was rushed to the intensive care unit of the Costa Adeji hospital on the island after having the stroke on Saturday.

He was moved to a normal ward, where he is making a slow recovery.

Jim, a left arm all-rounder, has been a member of the club since the 1960's. During his playing days he liked nothing better than beating Great Harwood.

He is still heavily involved with the club, coaching youngsters and regularly pulling pints behind the clubhouse bar.

Always a keen sportsman, the father of four and grandfather of six plays bowls for Peel Park and darts and dominoes for Baxenden in the social league.

His daughter Barbara Duckworth said: "He is out of danger. At the moment he can't speak very well, but will get better."