Poorly Dickie Bird pulls out of Market Drayton appearance

Legendary cricket umpire Dickie Bird has pulled out of a sold-out event in Market Drayton because of ill-health.

The Yorkshireman was due to appear in front of about 200 people at Market Drayton's Festival Drayton Centre on Friday.

He was due to provide a glimpse behind the scenes of cricket at the event, featuring anecdotes from the past 40 years of the sport. There was also going to be an opportunity for the audience to ask him questions.

Centre chairman Geoff Vernon, said: "Dickie Bird will no longer be coming to the centre on Friday.

"We were informed that it was because of ill-health and he could no longer make it.

"It is a shame because it was sold-out and the tickets went very quickly. We would have loved to welcome him to Market Drayton but his health comes first.

"We would like to be on the list if his health allows him to appear in the future."

Mr Vernon said all tickets had been refunded.

The 79-year-old retired as an umpire in 1998 after standing in 66 test matches and 69 one-day internationals, including three World Cup Finals.

Meanwhile, tickets priced £12 are still available for a performance from comedian Andrew Lawrence on July 6 from 8pm.

Lawrence has appeared on BBC1's Live at the Apollo and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow. For more information call (01630) 654444.