A FUNERAL to celebrate the life of cricket fanatic Frank Betts will be held tomorrow (May 21).

Frank, who lived in Chard, died aged 92 last Tuesday morning after a short illness.

He was born in Birmingham and attended King Edward’s High School, before seeing active service in the Second World War as a lieutenant in the RNVR, working on minesweepers off the east coast of England, the Mediterranean and with the Pacific Fleet off Australia.

When he returned home, he ran an off licence in Birmingham, then became a hotelier in north Wales, before running a sporting hotel in Exmouth and The Windwhistle Inn, near Chard.

He was heavily involved at Somerset County Cricket Club after joining in 1984 and he ran the Stragglers Bar before becoming the club’s licensee, running the committee room bar on match days, dealing with catering invoicing and stocktaking.

Club president Roy Kerslake paid tribute to Frank describing him as a wonderful servant and friend to the Somerset committee and their guests.

He added: “Frank was also very popular and wellrespected by all the players.

“He will be sorely missed by all the committee, players and everyone who was entertained in the committee room during his stewardship.”

Chairman Andy Nash added: “He cared for the club, staff and all guests in the club's committee area with great efficiency and in some style.”

Frank continued at the club during his wife’s illness leading up to her death in 2008 and still drove to Taunton every match day.

The funeral is at 12.30pm at Taunton Deane Crematorium.