THE funeral will take place tomorrow of a well-known local sportsman, Brett Beech, who died last week following a long illness after undergoing heart surgery two years ago.

Brett, who was 86, was born in Tamworth, Staffordshire, came to the Selby area, after the World War Two while doing national service being stationed at Burn.

Whilst there he met his wife June, a Brayton girl, and they recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. His first sporting connection in the area was playing football for Brayton FC and later playing alongside his son, also called Brett, for Selby Olympia, both teams in the York and district league, well into his forties.

After giving up playing football he became a referee for many years being a member of the Selby Referees Association and officiating in the local leagues.

When the new bowling club opened in Brayton he became a member playing in the Selby Bowls Association League and was a past president of the club. He took up the coaching of young players at the club with many playing for the senior teams later.

His son Brett said his dad, "lived a full life”, being a member of the Selby Conservative Club, and Selby Railway Club where he and his wife June were regulars at the Tuesday dance evening. He was also a keen walker and in his retirement was out early each morning, rain, hail or snow, doing a six mile walk. He also completed a sponsored walk which raised thousands of pounds for various charities.

A member of Selby bowling club John Harrand, said: “Brett was a good man, a true gentleman, a great sportsman, very reliable and always made himself available if help was needed at the club. He will be sadly missed."

The funeral will take place at St Wilfrid's Church in Brayton at 10.30am tomorrow, donations to go to the church and the British Heart Foundation.