A POPULAR figure who made a significant contribution to Herefordshire cricket has died after a long illness at the age of 66.

Mike Bryon was prominent both on and off the field and gained recognition in 2000 when he picked up the Rob State Award for services to Herefordshire cricket.

A former opening batsman and a medium pace bowler, Bryon played for Ledbury in his prime, while he also played on a Sunday for Bosbury and for Blanches and Nalgo in the Hereford Evening League, where he held the vice-chairman's position from 1998 to 2000.

Bryon was part of a committee which founded Marden Cricket Club in 1984 and he subsequently held a number of positions at the village outfit, including chairman, captain, secretary and groundsman. He was also instrumental in establishing the club's junior section .

In fact, Bryon was Marden's current president and the club held a minute's silence in his memory before their Flint & Cook Marches League Division 2 home match with Burghill & Tillington on Saturday.

He was the honorary treasurer of the Herefordshire Cricket Association between 1992 and 1997, treasurer of the Hereford and District League between 1995 and 1997, a founder life member of Herefordshire County Cricket Club and a former member of the match management committee.

Peter Sykes, treasurer of Herefordshire CCC, said: "Mike was always willing to help out and do his best for cricket. He was a well known figure and will be sadly missed."

Captain of Marden, Mike Williams, said: "I cannot speak highly enough of Mike, he was a fantastic person and a close friend. Sadly, we have lost a great stalwart."