Tributes have been paid in for Oxfordshire bowls veteran Mick Gallagher, who has died after a long illness.

Mick, 78, had played an integral part in both the county team and Oxford's Rover club for more than 40 years.

Jim Warland, a close friend and fellow teammate of Mick's, said he would be sadly missed.

"Mick was a very sociable, loyal person who gave a lot to club and county bowls," he said.

"He held the club together and was a brilliant player. He won the County Officers' Cup so many times that it was renamed the Gallagher Cup.

"He came from a bowls family and was an exceptionally talented player."

Unofficially known as one of the best players never to have trialled for England, Mick won the Oxfordshire singles title three times as well as the triples and fours.

He was secretary of the Rover club for more than 20 years and was also president.

Born in London, he moved to the Isle of Wight as a youngster and enjoyed sporting success in both table tennis and football, trialling for Portsmouth and Bolton.

He moved to Oxford in 1957 to work for Pressed Steel and immediately became involved in bowls, a sport in which his father had achieved great success nationally.

About eight years ago he retired from the bowls scene after suffering with dementia and being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.

The Rover club has dedicated its singles championship to Mick and competitors now battle it out for the Gallagher Trophy.

He leaves a daughter Theresa and grandchildren James, Andrew and Steven.

His funeral will take place at Oxford Crematorium on Monday (12.15pm).