LOCAL cricket has lost one its most colourful characters with the death of Brian Senior.

The Yorkshireman, who was in his late 60s, came into the Bolton League when he moved into the area, and played for Bradshaw from 1971 until 1983.

He was rated among the top ten wicketkeepers to have appeared in the League and all the Bradshaw bowlers benefited from his expertise behind the wicket. He was also a dangerous hard hitting batsman and his half century off 20 balls against Farnworth in 1976 is still a Bradshaw club record.

After leaving Bradshaw, he played at Astley Bridge for a time, then moved into the Association with Clifton, before retiring from the game, although he did go on to appear several times for the Lancashire over 50s side.

He was also the head of an illustrious family of local cricketers, his sons Neil, Ian and David all playing in the Bolton League. Ian and David both still play for Greenmount, while his grandson Ryan Senior took the man of the match award after helping the Bury side win the Hamer Cup last season.

Yesterday all three played in Greenmount's Hamer Cup semi-final win at Heaton after the two teams had held a minute's silence before the start.

Players in the Bolton League game between his former club Bradshaw and Tonge also observed a minute's silence in his memory on Saturday.