Tributes have been paid to a well-respected cricket captain who has died aged 77.

Former Cumbria County Cricket Club captain John Moyes died on April 2 in Cockermouth after a short illness.

He had two spells at Shap Road, Kendal - firstly as a professional in 1974 and 1975 before returning as captain for three seasons from 1992 to 1994. 

As captain, he famously led Kendal on their memorable journey to the National KO final held at Lords in 1992 and then followed up with back-to-back Northern League championships in '93 & '94.

A spokesperson for Kendal Cricket Club said: "Kendal CC were saddened this week by the death of former player John Moyes.

"A fantastic leader, John always got the best out of players, he had the skill to inspire team-mates to great performances regardless of talent or personality.

"It is testament to his popularity that since the announcement of his death social media is awash with messages from former cricketers and the wider cricket fraternity - both team-mates and opponents. We pass our condolences on to John's family, wife Dianne and sons Jim and Richard."

In his wider career, Mr Moyes played Minor Counties Championship cricket for Suffolk between 1966 and 1968.

He later joined Cumberland and made his debut for the county in 1973.

Mr Moyes played minor counties cricket for Cumberland until 1993 and held the county record for appearances with 128 matches, which was later equalled by Malcolm Woods.

He also played for Penrith CC as a professional from 1980 to 1982 and as an amateur with Workington CC from 1983 to 1991 before returning to Kendal. He also played for Cockermouth CC in 1973 and from 1995 to 1998.

He remained the only county player to have batted in over 200 championship innings however for the county side. He was club captain in 1980 and again between 1985 and 1991.

A pinnacle of his career was to lead the county side to their first championship title in 1986 at New Road, Worcester against Oxfordshire.

Across all formats, he played 149 matches for the club, scoring 4,627 runs, including two centuries, took 88 catches and made one stumping.

Cumbria CCC President Eric Carter said: "It was with great sadness that I heard that John had passed away. Cumbria County Cricket Club has lost a great stalwart. He made a distinctive contribution to the county side for 20 years.

"Outside of cricket he played rugby union for Workington Zebras, football for Workington Reds reserves and was also a keen golfer.

"He was a teacher at Workington Grammar School and Cockermouth School and in his retirement sang with the Castlegate Singers in Cockermouth.

"He leaves his wife Dianne and two sons Jimmy and Richard to whom we pass on our sincere condolences."