CELEBRATED former England and Yorkshire bowls player Tom Delaney has died at the age of 86.

The Scarcroft Bowls Club member won the Yorkshire singles outdoor title in 1981, crowning his most successful year on the greens.

The county title earned him a place at the national championships in Worthing, where he teamed up with Worcester’s Edgar Raynor to win the open men’s pairs event.

Delaney, bowled against a host of the sport’s leading names over the course of his career.

The one-time taxi driver was also a keen angler, representing England and winning local competitions at the Langwith, Carpvale and Raker Lakes fisheries.

Delaney, who was born in the Clementhorpe area of York, was a pupil at St George’s Primary School before becoming a merchant seaman and later joining the Army.

In his later years, he lived in Poppleton Road and played darts and snooker for Poppleton Road Working Men’s Club.

Delaney leaves wife Theresa, two daughters and two sons.

A funeral will be held at York Crematorium on Monday at 12.30pm.