CRICKET lovers can now watch their local team play from a new memorial bench commemorating one of the club's biggest supporters.

Wantage fundraising club Ridgeway Unicorn No. 7 installed the seat at Wantage Cricket Club in honour of one of its founder members, Colin Wilkins.

Mr Wilkins, a bank manager and one-time president of Wantage and District Chamber of Commerce, passed away on June 24, 2015.

The bench was unveiled by his widow Lesley Wilkins last month at a ceremony also attended by members of the cricket club and Wantage Croquet Club.

Unicorn president Richard Johnson said: "Colin rarely missed a meeting and was always on hand to offer support and guidance, often with his great sense of humour."

Mrs Wilkins thanked the club for their generosity and everyone for attending.

She said: "There is no better place to site the bench than looking out over the cricket ground where Colin enjoyed watching one of his favourite sports."

After the ceremony those assembled retired to the cricket club bar to raise a glass in Colin's memory.

Mr Wilkins had lived in Wantage for many years and was well-known locally as a bank manager and a member of many clubs and associations.

As a fundraiser he was instrumental in raising funds for the care home behind Wantage Community Hospital.

Ridgeway Unicorn No. 7 is a service club for men based in and around Wantage. Members meet twice a month and raise funds for local charities.

The club recently provided a public access defibrillator which is kept in the foyer of the Bear Hotel in Wantage Market Place.