JOHN Rayson, a former York Cricket Club opening batsman and local school teacher, has died at his home in Sutton-on-the-Forest after a long illness. He was 77.

Mr Rayson was educated at St Peter's School and captained the school cricket team in the 1940s when they went through a season unbeaten.

He obtained a Masters degree at Brasenose College, Oxford and played for Oxford University before beginning his teaching career at Glenhow Preparatory School, Saltburn. He also captained Saltburn Cricket Club.

He moved to St Olave's School, York in 1966 and was appointed Master-in-charge (the equivalent to head teacher) in 1969. He opened the batting for York and was also an off-spin bowler when they played at Wigginton Road, the site of the present York Hospital.

Later he became a fine single figure handicap golfer at York Golf Club, Strensall. Mr Rayson sang as a bass in St Olave's School choir and led a number of school camping trips to the Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland. A keen gardener, he retired in 1990.

Mr Rayson, who suffered from prostate cancer, leaves his wife Sally, a daughter Clare and son Ian. Another son, Duncan, pre-deceased him.

The funeral service is at All Hallows Church, Sutton-on-the-Forest, on Thursday at 2pm. A memorial service is to be held at a later date.