TOM Graveney, one of Tynedale‘s most successful sporting sons, has died at the age of 88.

The cricketer played 79 tests for England during a first-class career which spanned four decades.

Born in Riding Mill in 1927, Graveney became one of the most prolific batsmen of his generation, amassing a career total of 47,00 runs, including 122 hundreds for Gloucestershire, Worcestershire as well as England.

After retiring in 1972 he became a commentator for BBC TV and was president of the MCC in 2004-5.

His elder brother Ken, who also played cricket for Gloucestershire, died last week at the age of 90.