Former Oxford Mail and Oxford Times reporter Bob Gallimore has died doing one of the things he loved best -- playing cricket.

Mr Gallimore, 61, was making his return to the pitch after a four-year break through ill-health, and had completed a good innings before being taken ill.

He walked from the pitch to applause from his fellow players and spectators but collapsed halfway to the pavilion.

Despite resuscitation attempts by a member of the opposing team, he died of a suspected heart attack. The match was called off.

Fellow team member Alan Hudson said: "It's a terrible tragedy. He had looked so well recently."

Mr Gallimore had agreed to play in the fixture at Whitchurch Hill when asked by team members the night before to fill a space.

Rosemary Ashton, his partner for 15 years, said: "He had been feeling really well lately and was very keen to play again. I thought it would be really nice for him."

Mr Gallimore worked at the Henley Standard from 1984 to 1990, the last two years as its editor.

Current editor George Tuckfield said: "He was loyal, good company and always professional. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him."

Former mayor and town councillor Tony Lane said: "He was a very nice person who contributed greatly to the town through his newspaper reporting and his association with the local Conservative Party. He was truly a real gentleman."

Mr Gallimore, who was born in Herefordshire, the son of a farmer, had devoted much of his life to journalism, starting out as a reporter straight from school with Berrows Newspapers, in Worcester, in 1959.

At 22 he moved to the Reading Chronicle and Berkshire Mercury for three years, before moving on to the Oxford Mail and the Oxford Times as Wantage reporter for another three years.

His love of sport was the key to his next job as sports editor at the Newbury Weekly News, where he stayed for six years. In 1975 he returned to the Reading Newspaper Company as district reporter for the Henley Mercury.

He was well known for his passion for cricket and horse racing, and was a founder of the Sonning Common village cricket team.

His main love was his family, and he was proud and devoted to his three children, Sarah, Chris and Caroline, his step son John, and his five grandchildren.

Five years ago Mr Gallimore retired from his post as sports editor on the Wokingham Times, where he worked from 1990 to 1995.

His funeral took place at Holy Trinity Church in Henley.