Charity cricket match in memory of former Walsall Council Labour Leader Tim Oliver

Cricket players have taken to the field for a fundraising match in memory of a former councillor who died from cancer earlier this year.

Former Walsall Labour group leader Tim Oliver passed away just days after the local elections in May aged 56 following a long battle with the illness.

He had been a councillor for Birchills and Leamore ward for 18 years and played for Walsall Health Cricket Club for more than 20 years.

He started playing for the club in the late 80s and soon took over as skipper, continuing to play right up until 2012.

A charity cricket match and family fun day was organised in his memory to celebrate his love of sport by his former team mates.

The match between Walsall Health and Rushall at Rushall's Carter Park home in Pelsall Lane.

Pancreatic Cancer UK, Macmillan Nurses and Amnesty International were the good causes chosen to benefit from the fundraiser.

Many of his former team mates from down the years, as well as current players took part in the match on Sunday and afterwards there was a disco, karaoke and raffle.

Walsall Council leader Councillor Sean Coughlan watched the match and said: "It was a great day and it was lovely to meet Tim's sporting friends and family. It was a fitting tribute to him."

The match ball was sponsored by Firesec Electrical Limited