TRIBUTES have been paid to 'Mr Cricket' Dickie Spruce who has sadly passed away at the age of 77.

Tributes have flooded in for the legendary former local cricketer and owner of the popular Penrith store Sportscraft.

Among those paying tribute to Dickie was Penrith Cricket Club, for whom he played for all three of their senior sides, as well as playing minor counties cricket for Cumberland.

After learning of his passing, Dickie's former side paid tribute to the 'passionate' former cricketer and shop owner.

"The club is saddened to learn of the passing of Dick Spruce," they said.

"Dick would have played a lot more cricket, but for his commitments to his business - Sportscraft - his sports shops and suppliers of all things cricket.

"Anyone in the county and beyond with any interest in cricket will have known Dick - many will have played cricket with and against him.

"He was a passionate coach and led dozens of coaching courses that led to an army of volunteers coaching throughout the county. 

"Sportscraft stocked absolutely everything a cricketer or club could need and customers traveled from far and wide to get the very best equipment and the very best personal advice from Dickie.

"Has anyone played a greater role in Cumbrian cricket?"

In their own tribute, Cumbria Cricket dubbed Dickie 'Mr Cricket' due to the influence he has had on cricketers all across the north of England.

They said: "It is with great sadness to hear that Dickie Spruce has passed away.

"Dickie was Mr Cricket, who has passed on his enthusiasm, knowledge, and love of cricket to so many players, and parents, not just in Cumbria but the whole of the north of England.

"We will all miss Dickie for the huge amount of love, knowledge, and time he gave to cricket, and we will miss his lovely smile."

Former Leicestershire and England wicket-keeper and batsman Paul Nixon was also amongst those who paid tribute to the Cumbrian cricket legend.

In a social media post, he said: "Sad to hear about the passing of a legendary Cumbrian cricketer Dickie Spruce.

"Dickie coached many of us, he supplied all our cricket and gym kit from the brilliant shop Sportscraft of Penrith.

"Dickie loved the game and all our sincere condolences to Susan and family."