FORMER Worcestershire batsman George Dews has died at the age of 81.

Born in Ossett, Yorkshire, Dews was one of a dying breed of sportsmen who played both cricket and football professionally.

During a 15-year career at New Road he scored nearly 17,000 runs in 374 matches, though his career started in the worst possible way with a 'king pair' against Lancashire at Old Trafford in 1946.

He put that behind him and went on to average 28.52, scoring 20 centuries and 91 fifties, until his retirement in 1961.

His highest score of 145 came against the Combined Services at New Road in 1951 and he scored 1,000 runs in a season 11 times.

He was also a good fielder both at slip and in the deep, taking 355 catches.

Like Denis Compton from the same era, Dews also played football professionally for Middlesbrough, Walsall and Plymouth Argyle where he scored 81 goals in 271 games.

"George was a quiet fellow but very genuine and popular," said former New Road team-mate Roy Booth.

"He was a good batsman, uncomplicated, as he was in his football and was always a good team man."

After finishing his cricket career Dews concentrated on golf and was a single-handicap player at the Stourbridge club.

His funeral service takes place at Gornal Crematorium tomorrow afternoon at 2.30pm.