KEN Lockwood, a well-known former cricket and rugby union player in York, has died at his home in Fulford. He was 87.

Mr Lockwood, who was educated at St Peter's School, played cricket for Rowntree's before the 1939-45 World War.

He played rugby union for Yorkshire Public Schools against Wales at Harrogate in 1937.

An early order left-handed batsman and spin bowler, he joined York Cricket Club when their headquarters were at Wigginton Road, the site of the present York Hospital. He served in the British Army during the war years.

When the war ended he returned to Rowntree's where he had worked since leaving school and also played cricket for the company after his spell at York in the late 1940s and early 50s.

Mr Lockwood made a number of centuries for York, two of them being on successive Saturdays against Doncaster. His stock in trade was being to build an innings slowly and then having the ability to accelerate and take the opposition bowling apart.

One of his best bowling performances was for York against Barnsley in the Yorkshire League when he took 7-44, including five wickets in an over. He also took 7-49 in a representative match against Joe Hulme's XI, four of his victims being Denis Compton, Leslie Compton, Jim Simms and Hulme, all of whom played for Middlesex.

Mr Lockwood, who played full back for York RUFC in their Hob Moor days before the move to Clifton Park, took over the post office in Heslington Road after retiring from Rowntree's.

He leaves a wife Flora and daughter Jane. The funeral service is at St Oswald's Church, Fulford tomorrow at 2pm followed by cremation at York Crematorium.

Updated: 11:03 Thursday, October 28, 2004