A well-loved man and member of his community has passed away recently, and his wife has given a tribute.

Chris Allason, a man who lived in Brampton, shared the secretary job at Brampton Bowls Club, as well as playing at a county level.

His wife, Sheila, spoke of his life: "He was a volunteer in so many areas of his life, he was a scout leader and involved in the Lanercost Cricket club as well

"He worked as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator at Caldew School starting in 1985 till 2009.

"He was a big Carlisle United fan, and played at the cricket club through the 1970s and 1980s, and was welfare officer before he died.

"His father was a very good coach and player at the bowls club, so he followed in his footsteps.

"On retiring from the school, he volunteered in many groups, particularly those that involved driving, including the Border Rambler mini bus, the Cumbria Community Transport minibus, and the Voluntary Car Scheme.

"He delivered food parcels for Meals on Wheels and for SHINE in Brampton.

"He was an NHS responder during lockdown, picking up medication for people isolating.

"He was a local lad, born and brought up in Haighton, everybody described him as a kind and gentle man.

"He had a positive influence on so many people through his life, that's why know so may friends will be there to say goodbye to him, he influenced their lives.

"He was a man of simple pleasures, but he helped to make other people's lives better, he had a wicked sense of humour, even the nurses that looked after him towards the end noted he was a funny man."

A funeral will be held next Friday at 10:20am at Carlisle Crematorium.