CORNISH Cricket has been saddened to learn of the death of Vivian Heffer, aged 77.

He suffered a heart attack whilst on a family holiday in Malta two weeks ago.

Viv was a popular figure in the Camborne and Redruth area and enjoyed a lifetime involved in cricket. As a young pace bowler he was a leading wicket taker for Four Lanes in the Cornwall League.

He took all ten wickets for 19 runs at Ruan Minor in 1957. He went on to play senior cricket for Falmouth and Redruth. In later years he became a League Umpire, before having to retire after having a leg amputated. He was a vice president of Cornwall County Cricket Club and also an active member of Somerset CCC.

He served on a number of player benefit committees, including Troon and Northamptonshire’s Anthony Penberthy in 2002. He was a good friend of former Somerset and England pace bowler Andy Caddick. Outside of cricket he had a great passion for sailing and moored boats at Falmouth, Portreath and Porthleven.

In recent times he had moved from Redruth to live in Helston. He is survived by his daughter Anne. The funeral service will take place at Camborne Crematorium on Tuesday, April 5 at 2pm.