A WELL known and much liked bowls player collapsed and died at the first game of the new season on Monday evening.

Jack Kirk, aged 68, a member of the Bull's Head bowling team collapsed at the game against Rylands Bowling Team.

Players put Mr Kirk into the recovery position and administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until paramedics arrived. He died later in hospital.

This week, Kenny Parker, licensee of the Bull's Head pub on Church Street, paid tribute to Mr Kirk, describing him as an 'amicable and placid man who took everything in his stride'.

He said: "Jack loved his bowls and couldn't wait for the season to begin. I'd known him for five years and I'd never heard him say a bad word about anyone.

"He was a smashing bloke and we're all completely gutted.

"I was speaking to him just before the game and he was really looking forward to it."

The funeral will take place next Tuesday at St Benedict's Church, Orford, at 9am.