LEGENDARY batsman Graeme Hick has announced he will retire from county cricket at the end of the season.

Fans and high profile figures in the city have paid tribute to the 42-year-old who has enjoyed an illustrious 24-year career with Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

Number one fan John Millward, who has kept a log of all of Hick’s achievements with newspaper cuttings, pictures and photographs, said: “He’s a legend, he certainly is with 136 first-class hundreds.

“That’s a fantastic achievement, phenomenal really, and to stay for so long with one club shows real loyalty.”

Mr Millward, who has watched the county for 50 years and saw Hick make 84 runs on his Worcestershire debut against Surrey at The Oval in 1984, said he thought the Zimbabwe-born batsmen was the best player he has ever seen.

“It’s sad to see him go,” said the 61-year-old postman of Powderham Avenue, Warndon Villages, Worcester. “He’s given me a lot of pleasure over the years.

“I was hoping he would carry on for another year but, unfortunately, that’s not to be and he’s said enough is enough.”

Worcester MP Mike Foster said although he thought it was a shame Hick was never able to replicate his county form for England he could still hold his head high.

“It goes without saying that his record for Worcestershire, I don’t think, will ever be beaten in terms of the quantity of runs that he scored,” said Mr Foster.

“He’s been an outstanding ambassador for the game and I’m priviliged enough to be able to talk to him in the street. He’s a thoughtful cricketer who has always given his all for the county.

“He can be proud of his record and what he has done. He will be a hard, if not impossible, act to follow.”

Worcester Warriors chairman Cecil Duckworth, who chaired Graeme Hick’s benefit year in 1999, said: “That was a great year and it was great working with him.

“He is a fantastic bloke on and off the field and he was fantastic to watch.

“He’s given a lot of joy to lots of people.”

Mr Millward said he hoped Hick would now take on a coaching role and said he would like to see the club do something to mark Hick’s achievements.