Frank Wellock, who captained Skipton rugby and cricket clubs, has died at the age of 97.

He spent his best rugby-playing days with Skipton, then one of Yorkshire's top clubs, and played three times for Yorkshire at full back.

He taught PE and games at Keighley Grammar School for almost 40 years and, other than a couple of years in the town when first married, he lived his entire life in Cross Hills.

He and his wife, Sarah, went back to her childhood home at High Malsis Farm, near Glusburn, to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary with their family ten years ago.

Sarah died six months later, however, and Frank continued to enjoy his garden at home in Park Road until he spent his last three years in nearby Beanlands Nursing Home.

His son, Tim, said: “He liked to reminisce about batting with Eddie Paynter, the Lancashire and England batsman who came to play for Keighley during the war.

“If they were in a run chase before catching the bus home Paynter would say: 'Thee just stop there lad, I'll get these'.

“When dad stepped down from Bradford League cricket he switched his allegiance to Skipton then finished his cricketing days with Glusburn, where we played together.

“We shared all ten wickets in winning the 1966 Cowling Cup final, which was played on one of the Skipton grounds.”

Frank knew Sarah from junior school days in Sutton, and after attending Keighley Boys Grammar School he did his teacher training at Dudley and Carnegie College, Leeds.

Although he signed up in the RAF, he did not see active service because of a medical condition.

He nurtured many successful school cricket and rugby teams and for three weeks every summer he helped to set up, run and generally enjoy the school camp near Kirkcudbright.

He also leaves a daughter, Frances, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at Skipton Crematorium on Monday, October 28, at 11.40am.