A MEMORIAL service is being considered for one of East Lancashire's finest cricketers, Cyril Washbrook, who died aged 84 after suffering a stroke.

Mr Washbrook, who was born in the Ribble Valley, scored some 35,000 runs and 76 centuries in first-class cricket.

He played for England in 37 Test matches between 1937 and 1956 and forged a famous post-war opening partnership with fellow batsman Sir Len Hutton. He passed away peacefully at a nursing home in Sale, Greater Manchester..

Mr Washbrook, whose trademark was wearing his cap to one side, notched up more than 1,000 runs in a month in July, 1946, playing for Lancashire and for England.

By 1956 he had become an England selector, but with the country struggling against Australia, he was persuaded to return to international duty, helping England to The Ashes with an innings of 98 at Headingley.

He joined Lancashire in 1933 and scored 152 against Surrey in only his second match. He played 500 games for the Red Rose county and scored a total of 27,863 runs. In 1954 he became Lancashire's first professional captain and in later years served on the Lancashire committee. He was the club's president in 1989 and 1990.

Mr Washbrook was born in 1914 in Cockrill Terrace, Barrow.

A family funeral has taken place but a memorial service is being considered by his family.

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