Tributes have been paid to well-known Carlisle philanthropist Bob Bowman.

Mr Bowman died in the early hours of the morning. He was 84.

He had lived with Parkinson's disease for around 10 years.

Mr Bowman was a pharmacist and philanthropist but was also well-known for his love of the arts and sport, particularly cricket.

He was made an OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours in 2011 in recognition of his services to music and the arts in Carlisle and Cumbria.

Carlisle Cricket Club, where Mr Bowman was president, announced his death today. He was also a patron of Cumberland CCC.

A statement on the city club's website: "Everyone at Carlisle CC owes Bob a huge debt of gratitude. A talented opening batsman who played for both Carlisle and Cumberland, he went on to become a lifelong supporter and benefactor.

"In 2011, Bob was awarded the OBE for his charitable and philanthropic work in the city and across the north of England.

"As well as cricket, Bob provided support and sponsorship to young people in music and the arts.

"He will be very sadly missed."

Mark Davidson, Carlisle Cricket Club's honorary secretary, added: "Our thoughts are with Bob’s family and friends at this extremely sad time.

"Bob was a true gentleman who supported cricket across the county, for whom he played with distinction on many occasions, but in particular here at Carlisle Cricket Club.

"His contribution at Edenside is quite simply inestimable and we all owe Bob a huge debt of gratitude."

He added: "He was a very talented cricketer for both Carlisle CC and Cumberland CCC and became a lifelong supporter of both right up to the end.

"Most weekends and some evenings he would drive down to Edenside to take in the cricket with the odd cup of tea and a chat.

"Bob was from a rare vintage, a gentleman in the true sense who will be deeply missed by all of us."

Mr Bowman was also honorary life president of the Carlisle Music and Drama Festival, after serving for more than 30 years as its chairman.

The festival annually gives around 2,000 young musicians, dramatists and speakers a chance to perform. This year's festival is set to take place next month, March 12-17.

He first became involved in the festival himself as a boy.

His parents encouraged him to sing and get involved in music from an early age.

He started out singing as part of a quartet in the mid-1950s and then took up a solo career in the early 1960s and became a successful tenor.

Mr Bowman studied with Ena Mitchell, who was a distinguished soprano from Cumbria.

When he was awarded the OBE, he told the News & Star how he had been a soloist performing classical music when he was in his twenties and thirties, singing at cities including Newcastle, Edinburgh and Manchester.

He ran the Bowmans chemist chain, which had branches across Carlisle and places including Silloth, the north-east and southwest Scotland, until his retirement in 2009.