JIM CUSSANS, a well-known tennis player and sportsman in York for many years, has died suddenly in Tanpit Lodge Nursing Home, Easingwold, following a heart attack. He was 91.

Mr Cussans, who was born in Copmanthorpe and brought up in the Acomb area of York, was a founder member of Rowntree Park Tennis Club in the early 1950s and played in the York Municipal Tournament for a number of years.

He worked at Terry's before the 1939-45 war and then served as a military policeman in the army in Egypt for four years.

He played in goal for Terry's and Dringhouses and also had several games for York City Reserves before becoming a local soccer referee.

Mr Cussans was also a keen swimmer and won long distance events when races were held in the River Ouse.

He and his late wife Lil, lived in Eason Road, Dringhouses before moving to Kitchener Street, Haxby Road where they ran a fish and chip shop until 1965.

They then moved to Stillington where Mr Cussans was landlord of the Bay Horse for five years. While living in the village he played a major part in helping to build Stillington Tennis Club courts and also Stillington Bowling Club's green.

The funeral service for Mr Cussans, who leaves a daughter, will be at Stillington Parish Church on Thursday, January 10 at noon.

Updated: 12:22 Monday, January 07, 2002