PADIHAM stalwart Brian Shirtcliffe has been described as “the most deserving recipient” after he was handed a lifetime achievement award at the Lancashire Cricket Board OSCAs.

Shirtcliffe, who has been involved with the Arbories side since the 1940s and is known as ‘Mr Padiham’ through the Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League, was handed the honour on Friday night at a glittering ceremony at The Point at Emirates Old Trafford.

The OSCAs are aimed at recognising volunteers in the recreational game of cricket who give so much of their time to the sport – without these individuals the game would not survive.

And Shirtcliffe, whose son Brian is another stalwart of the Padiham club, will now go on as Lancashire’s candidate at the national OSCAs event sponsored by NatWest at Lord’s in October.

Shirtcliffe joined Padiham in 1952 and has since had long spells as chairman and secretary and has even served as volunteer groundsman. He is currently chairman and president of the club.

“It’s been a bit of lifetime devotion to Padiham,” he said. “I joined the club three or four years after the ground was built and retired from playing 43 years later.

“I was first team captain, I’ve been treasurer and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. My two sons play for Padiham as does my grandson, so it’s become something of a Shirtcliffe tradition to represent the club.

“I’m very pleased and honoured to win this award. It is an honour to be chosen by the Lancashire Cricket Board as the winner of the Lifetime Achiever and I feel very privileged.”

Clitheroe Cobras youth chairman Farouk Hussain was also celebrating on Friday as he collected a special recognition award.

That award was kept a secret until the night of the ceremony.