A west Cumbrian rugby league stalwart and charity supporter has died.

Described as "irreplaceable" by those who knew him, Tommy Taylor was awarded an MBE for his work at Sellafield and with the Sellafield Snowball Committee.

Tributes have poured in for the 76-year-old West Cumbria Youth League chairman since his death on Wednesday.

The former Wath Brow junior coach was a founder member of the youth league, but he will also be remembered for his charity work.

Mr Taylor, of Cleator Moor, was awarded an MBE for services to the nuclear industry and the charity committee in 1998.

His friends and colleagues in amateur rugby league say he has left a powerful legacy behind.

Joe Elliott, WCYL administrator and a close personal friend of Mr Taylor's, said: "He was quite simply my best friend and it is a huge personal loss.

"He was a founder member of the Youth League, along with Phil Kitchin and Paul Charlton and since then it has gone from strength to strength.

"He was just a legend and I can't describe what he has done for our league and for the game in general.

"He was on the BARLA board and travelled down the motorway two or three times a month to keep Cumbria on the rugby map.

"He is irreplaceable to us. The work he has done for rugby league and for the youth in particular is immense and that is the legacy he leaves behind.

"That youngsters across the county can learn to play rugby within the league, he helped grow the youth game."

Over the years Mr Taylor has held several roles within the British Amateur Rugby League Association.

He spent time as vice chairman of the organisation and was also BARLA Youth chairman.

But he started off playing for Wath Brow Hornets and then helped to coach at the club at under-11, 13, 15 and 17 levels.

He stepped up to take charge of Cumbria under-18s before joining BARLA in various roles.

And he was also the assistant manger of the BARLA U18 Young Lions, serving under Joe Elliott for several tours.

"We have been close friends since we were on the BARLA board together," added Mr Elliott.

"When I became U18 BARLA manager I appointed Tommy as my assistant and we did several tours together.

"Between 1997 and 2008 we went to Australia, New Zealand, Italy and France, with a host of different players."

Although rugby played a huge part in his life, Mr Taylor was also remembered fondly by his former workmates at Sellafield.

During his career he represented the workforce as a shop steward and convener and was part of the national campaign for the nuclear industry.

He was a founder member of the Snowball Committee which has raised millions of pounds over the year and benefited many charities.

Sellafield spokesman Matt Legg said: "We were shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Tommy Taylor.

"Tommy was a highly respected colleague and much loved friend to many during his long career at Sellafield.

"He joined the company as a painter and went on to serve with distinction as a union convener for UCATT for many years.

"He was a founding member of the Snowball charity committee, which has donated more than £3million to local good causes.

"Tommy will be remembered as a true gentleman who put the needs of others before his own and devoted his life to fighting for the community he loved.

"We would like to pass on our condolences to Tommy’s family and friends at this difficult time."

Mr Taylor leaves behind his wife Mary, children Paul, Stephen, David and Sharon and grandchildren.