Tributes paid to Workington Town and Whitehaven rugby league legend Arnold 'Boxer' Walker

The former Workington Town and Whitehaven great - widely regarded as one of the county's finest players of all-time - has passed away at 70.

Walker played for Great Britain and England, and the Whitehaven-born star was inducted into the halls of fame of both Town and Haven.

His former clubs have paid warm tributes to a man who was once voted the best scrum half in the world.

Workington Town, posting on Twitter, said: "We are absolutely heartbroken to hear that Boxer Walker has passed away.

Boxer Walker in action during his superb career

"A Town Hall of Famer and a genuine legend in rugby league.

"Our thoughts are with Hazel, his family and his many, many friends in rugby league. Rest easy marra. We love you and you will be so missed."

Whitehaven added: "All at Whitehaven Rugby League are saddened to hear of the passing of a Cumbrian rugby league legend Boxer Walker.

"A member of both ours and Workington Town’s hall of fame and true icon of the Cumbrian game."

Kells ARLFC said: "All at Kells ARLFC are saddened with the awful news of the passing of an RL legend Arnold 'Boxer' Walker. Our thoughts are with Hazel and the rest of his family and friends. RIP marra."

Boxer Walker pictured in 2006 with the Lancashire Cup Former Great Britain and Wales international Jim Mills, who played alongside Walker at Workington, wrote on Facebook: "So saddened at the news of Arnie (Boxer) Walker has passed away, what a great player he was, very competitive and as tough as they come.

"I played alongside Boxer at Workington and was great to play in the same team as him. He was one of the games biggest characters.

"Great fun to have a drink with. Never took a backward step and he would tackle their biggest forwards. Yes he will be greatly missed.

"My deepest sympathy goes out to his family. Rest well Arnie, it was an honour to play alongside you."

Walker spent nine years with Workington and three with Whitehaven, beng selected for both England and Great Britain during his time at Haven.

He also represented Cumbria, including in the famous 9-3 victory over the touring New Zealand side at Whitehaven's Recreation Ground in 1980, Walker scoring a try in the game.

He also worked for 12 years in the town's Haig Colliery and, in recent years, released a book about his career, written by former News & Star sports editor Mike Gardner.

At the book's launch, Gardner described Boxer as "the best scrum half I’ve ever seen and very much a character on and off the field."