CYRIL Kershaw, part of Worcester's business and social life for more than half a century, has died aged 81.

St John the Baptist Church, Claines, was packed for the funeral service of the man who brought water metering to Britain, held senior posts in Midlands water authorities, was an enthusiastic amateur photographer and a leading member of Rotary and Probus.

Despite his proliferation of professional qualifications, the affable Mr Kershaw preferred to boast of his membership of the Bradford Telegraph and Argus childrens' Nignog Club, along with a certain young Eric Morecombe, who later found fame on TV.

"I am sure he will be missed for his sociability, wit and sense of humour," said his daughter Sue Taylor. "He was both an interesting and interested man, who was involved with numerous local organisation and had many friends both in Worcester and beyond."

Cyril Kershaw was born in 1926 in Bradford and educated at Bradford Grammar School and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he studied civil engineering. During National Service, he was commissioned into the Royal Engineers and stationed in Malvern.

Mr Kershaw and his wife Doris, to whom he was married for 56 years, lived in Huddersfield and Bath before moving to the newly built Warndon in Worcester in 1957, when he was appointed chief assistant water engineer to Worcester City Council.

He remained in this post for 12 years before the formation of the South West Worcestershire Water Board, and later the Severn Trent Water Authority, holding senior positions in both. He was, with fellow water engineer John Phillips, instrumental in the introduction of water metering to Britain.

Mr Kershaw became an active member of Worcestershire Camera Club and joined Round Table and later 41 Club. He was a founder member of Worcester South Rotary Club and helped to start the first Probus Club in the city.