ALAN Lynn, one of Oxfordshire’s leading figures in the sport of bowls has died, aged 86.

Mr Lynn was living at Oaken Holt Care Home, in Farmoor, at the time of his death.

Born in November 1922, he was an Oxford man through and through, having spent the early years of his life living above his father’s dental practice in the city’s High Street.

The family then moved to Abingdon Road and he attended New Hinksey School, where he met his future wife Brenda Taylor.

The teenager declined a scholarship to Magdalen College School, preferring to attend Southfield School with his friends instead.

It soon became clear to his maths master, Sydney Brookfield, that Mr Lynn had a head for figures, and after leaving school he joined the accountancy practice of John Miell, close to Carfax Tower.

The Second World War interrupted Mr Lynn’s studies and he volunteered to join the Royal Navy.

He rose to the rank of junior petty officer by the end of the war, serving on the aircraft carrier HMS Reaper, and remained a member of the Naval Reserve for some years afterwards.

Mr Lynn returned to his former career in accountancy and under his guidance as senior partner, the firm grew. At the time of his retirement, there were four offices in and around Oxford.

Away from his office Mr Lynn became well known as a bowls player and official.

His father Ernie had been one of four founder members of South Oxford Bowls Club and his mother Dolly was asked to play for England, so it was no surprise when he became an active participant at an early age.

He enjoyed playing for club, county and other sides including the Barbarians and the Dennyside, but it was off the green as a committee man where he excelled.

He became president of South Oxford Bowls Club in 1963, and county president in 1979. In the 1960s he became determined that bowls should become an all-year round sport.

He, together with George Willett, Walter Lester, Bill Allison and Richard Cole, formed a steering committee, buying land at Sandy Lane where, in 1971, the Isis Indoor Bowls Club was opened.

He was also well known at county level, becoming a member of the umpires association and representing Oxfordshire at English Bowling Association meetings.

Mr Lynn gained a reputation for not being afraid to speak out against any perceived injustice and, although he was not a political man, he believed in saying what was right, fair and just.

Mr Lynn leaves his wife Brenda and daughters Kay and Penny.