FATHER CYRIL BROOKS was laid to rest in the vault at Ampleforth Abbey after a funeral mass attended by monks and relatives and hundreds of friends from across the denominations.

Yesterday's mass was conducted by the Abbot of Ampleforth, the Rt Rev Timothy Wright, who said sporting ability had taken Father Cyril to the pinnacle of athletics so that, combined with a degree from Cambridge, he had the world at his feet at the age of 22.

"Cyril was a specialist at the 220 yards low hurdles, a particularly demanding event. In 1950 he broke the British record; it had stood for 23 years. He broke it twice more before he left Cambridge."

"His eye for the imaginative stunt led to the marathon bicycle ride from York to Land's End, to John O'Groats and back to York to raise money for One Voice - he was a joint chairman of this group which was behind a successful ecumenical mission to York in 1992. Two thousand miles at the age of 62, in little more than three weeks, was a phenomenal feat of endurance." After leaving Cambridge, Father Cyril worked in a family business in York, but on a visit to Ampleforth in 1953 to demonstrate athletics, he sensed a new call. He was ordained priest in 1961, spending the next 20 years teaching at Ampleforth.

In 1987 Father Cyril was appointed as a founding member of the new community of St Bede's at the Bar Convent in York.

The Abbot said: "Our withdrawal from York and Father Cyril's failing heart brought these happy years to an end. One year at Easingwold confirmed his incurable illness. In 1996 he retired to Leyland.

"He died peacefully, back home in his monastery, tired out by a life of ministry, his heart filled with gratitude for the wonderful people who loved him, listened to him, and worked with him."

Updated: 11:22 Tuesday, September 11, 2001