Cricket fan Adela Main, who became an unofficial 'mascot' for cricket clubs playing at the University Parks in Oxford, has died aged 87.

Mrs Main, who moved to the city from Northern Ireland in 1946, was a regular spectator at cricket matches in the parks for almost 60 years.

Mrs Main continued attending matches until last year and regularly featured in national newspaper magazine sports features at the beginning of the cricket season.

She was also a familiar sight at Oxford's May Morning celebrations, missing only a handful over the years -- three when her children were small, and one when there was an electrical storm.

She lived in Butterwyke Place, St Ebbe's, Oxford, where she raised two sons with her husband Cyril, who died in 1976.

A founding member of the Oxford Ulster Society in the 1960s, she was also involved with St Columba's United Reformed Church in Alfred Street.

She enjoyed entering competitions and won dozens of prizes over the years, including several holidays and cruise trips.

Her interest in cricket was sparked at an early age by her brothers, who played professionally for Ireland.

Her son, Laurence, said she was particularly proud to be able to send him and his brother John, who died last year, to Magdalen College School and Oxford University, despite the family's financial hardships.

She died in her sleep on Sunday, January 18, at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Her funeral was held on Monday at the Abingdon Cemetery chapel.