A former Keighley rugby star, who represented his country in the 1930s, has died aged 89.

Welsh winger Len Orchard represented his home nation at rugby league against England in April 1935. He scored a try in the match, at Liverpool, and won high acclaim for his performance.

The appearance was the pinnacle of a rugby career which began with the union code in his native Newbridge and included county honours with Monmouth.

The seventh son from a close-knit mining family, Mr Orchard left school at 14 and followed his brothers down the pit.

But when he was 22 he moved to Keighley and took up a job as a tyre fitter with the old West Yorkshire Road Car Company.

He continued to play rugby, switching to league and enjoying a relatively brief but successful spell with Keighley and playing for the bus firm's team.

When he was in his late 50s Mr Orchard took up a job at Haggas textile mill at Ingrow, where he remained until his retire

He died at Airedale General Hospital, Steeton, after a short illness, leaving a daughter, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. The funeral is at the Knowle in Keighley next Friday at 2pm.