FAMOUS names from the world of cricket remembered a county legend in a service of thanksgiving for Tom Graveney at Worcester Cathedral.

The cathedral was packed as cricket legends including David Gower and Mike Gatting celebrated the life of the former Worcestershire and England batsman.

Mr Graveney died aged 88 in November after a long-fight against Parkinson's disease.

A prayer from The Dean of Worcester was followed by a Sir Michael Parkinson tribute with Sir Tim Rice, Norman Gifford, David Graveney and son Tim Graveney.

His nephew David Graveney, a former England chairman of selectors said: "So many people had genuine affection for the way Tom played the game and more importantly for the way he led his life."

Mr Graveney's career included 122 first class hundreds with 11 of those coming in test matches including a career best 258 against the West Indies at Trent Bridge.

He was the first former professional cricketer to be named chairman of the MCC in 2004, where he presented the historic urn to the 2005 Ashes winning side, of which nephew David was chairman of selectors.

The current chairman of the body, Roger Knight paid tribute to the former Wisden cricketer of the year in a reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus.

The stylish batsman played 732 first class matches between 1948 and 1972 and 79 test matches, the last of which being at the age of 42 when he played in a benefit match on the rest day of a Test match.

Speaking to the Worcester News former England captain David Gower said: "Our playing careers never crossed and he was a commentator by the time I knew Tom but he never lost his love of the game. He was always heartfelt about the sport."

Mr Graveney's son Tim recalled the final match of cricket he ever played aged 68, where the father-son combo opened the batting during Alan Lamb's testimonial in 1994, the cricket legend hitting three consecutive sixes off a lively Australian fast bowler.

Mr Graveney's former England and Worcestershire teammate Norman Gifford said although Mr Graveney made batting look easy, his success was down to hard work, with the batsman having a net every day before the start of play.

Reverend Prebendary Mike Vockins OBE, secretary of Worcestershire County Cricket Club between 1971 and 2001 said:

"Tom was always prepared to stand up for what is right. He brought boundless delight to many both through his cricket skills and delightful personal qualities."

The service concluded with the Hymn 'Jerusalem', the blessing by the Dean of Worcester and the organist playing Fantasia in G by Bach.

A collection was taken for Parkinson's UK.

Mr Graveney was born in Northumberland before moving to Bristol at the age of six. Prior to his cricket career, he was in the army, joining in 1945, he served for a while in Egypt where he enjoyed batting on concrete and matting pitches.

His cricket career started at Gloucestershire in 1948 before joining Worcestershire in 1961 playing a key part in their Championship winning seasons in 1964 and 65.

He was awarded an OBE in 1968.

After his retirement from county cricket in 1970, he enjoyed a distinguished career in broadcasting with Test Match Special and was Worcestershire president from 1994 to 1998 before becoming president of the MCC for 2004-2005.

Mr Graveney married his wife Jackie in 1953 and they celebrated their diamond wedding in 2013 receiving a congratulatory letter from the Queen.

They leave children Becky and Tim and grandchildren Holly and Monty.