A cricket club has paid tribute to one of its greatest ever batsman.

Letchworth Garden City stalwart Duncan Bithray died at the age of 64 on March 29, after losing his battle with motor neurone disease.

Duncan, who lived in Baldock, accrued legendary status at the Whitethorn Lane club, and at his peak in the 1981-1982 season played six times for Hertfordshire.

A club spokesman said: “Duncan was one of the best ever opening batsmen for the club.

“He was accumulating runs at a fantastic rate from 1968 right through to 2005.

“He was a really neat and tidy player, pleasing to watch but not flashy.

“He could play all round the wicket, but was passionate about the cut shot – he was once caught at fourth gully in an inter-club game to great amusement.

“Duncan had an appetite for big runs and scored more than 170 on occasions in all-day games.

“He was a nimble fielder and a purveyor of innocuous-looking off-spin which used to snare a few Sunday victims.

“In recent times he would often help out umpiring 2nd XI and 3rd XI games, but rarely would young players realise the prestige of who was officiating such was Duncan’s quiet, understated presence.

“Most of all he is remembered by everyone as an utterly nice, modest man who loved his cricket.

“Thoughts of all at the club are with Duncan’s family at this sad time.”

Duncan’s funeral is at Harwood Park Crematorium in Stevenage at 5pm on Friday, April 17, with a wake at the cricket club bar at Whitethorn Lane afterwards.