One of York's top bowlers, Frank Maxwell, has died at the age of 63 after a long illness.

He had been a prominent force in the York flat green bowling scene for 30 years.

Outdoors he learnt his bowling skills at Hull Road Park leading for England international Bill Gillis.

A move to Haxby Road led to one of the most successful periods in the club's history as they won the triple crown - York Amateur Bowls Association division one, Williamson Cup and Yorkshire County Marshal Shield winners in 1979 and 1982.

In 1983 he won all titles available to a club bowler, winning the Club and Institute League and Cup with Tang Hall. Haxby Road's successes continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s including landing the league title in ten consecutive years.

During his many years as a skip for Yorkshire, the county won the Middleton Cup on at least two occasions.

Mr Maxwell a won national titles with Peter Richardson in the English pairs in 1985, and in the following year, with Roy Pinder, went on to win the British Isles pairs title which is something no other local bowler has achieved and led to an international trial.

A member of the York Indoor Bowls Club at Thanet Road from the day it opened, Mr Maxwell he represented the club and the county for many years during which the county won the National Liberty Trophy in 1980.

After being diagnosed with cancer in January he fought back and bowled throughout the summer, winning his last local competition, the August Bank Holiday Dunnington Triples.

His other bowling honours have included the YABA singles crown in 1982, 1992, 1993, the pairs in 1979, 1981, 1989, 1999, triples in 1975 and fours in 1973 and 1992. He also won the Bert Keech tournament in 1975 and 1983.

He leaves a widow, Janet, and three children, Steve, Paul and Lisa.

His funeral will take place at St Aelred's RC Church, Fifth Avenue, at noon on Wednesday, followed by interment at Fulford Cemetery.

sport@ycp.co.uk