ECHOES of Worcestershire's cricketing past have come back with the death of Jack Foster, who lived in the Cotswolds.

Flight Lieut Foster, who was aged 83, was descended from the famous Foster family who dominated Worcestershire County Cricket Club in the first half of the 20th Century.

His father and his father's six brothers, plus several cousins, all played for the county team, which at one time was nicknamed "Fostershire".

However, Jack Foster achieved fame not as a sportsman, but as a war hero.

A flight lieutenant and highly successful night fighter pilot in the RAF, he scored a spectacular coup on the night of New Year's Day in 1945 when, in the space of 10 minutes, he shot down three German bombers near Munchen-Gladbach.

In all, he was decorated three times for his flying exploits, including the DFC and Bar

Flight Lieut Foster spent his career in business and was a keen ornithologist.

He lived at Shipston-under-Wychwood and is survived by his widow, a son and four daughters.