A DOUBLE death car crash has claimed the life of a devoted father and keen village cricketer.

Family, friends and teamates are mourning the loss of Mike Ashton, the Sunday captain of Bilsington Cricket Club near Ashford.

The 42-year-old father-of-three, from Park Farm, loved the game and played in the same side as his two sons Sam, 17, and Ben, 12.

He died after a collision involving his Ford Mondeo and a Ford Ka on the A259 between Brenzett and New Romney near Sycamore Farm.

The driver of the other car, 19-year-old Mike Arnold, from Lydd, whose girlfriend Sam is expecting their baby in December, was also killed in the crash.

Police are still investigating the cause of the accident which happened on Friday, October 21. Paramedics and fire crews from Ashford, Lydd and New Romney battled to free the victims. Two teenage boys were pulled from the wreckage of the Mondeo and treated for minor injuries at the William Harvey Hospital.

Darren Naisbitt, vice-captain of Bilsington’s Sunday side, had played with Mr Ashton for years. He said: “Mike is irreplaceable. He was so passionate about his cricket and he inspired the rest of the team with his enthusiasm and determination.

“He was deeply serious on the pitch, wholly relaxed off it. Mike played the game hard and expected us to do the same.”

Mr Ashton was a talented all-rounder who saved the side from relegation this season. He was a powerful top-order batsman, bowled off a nagging length and could field in any position.

He brought in a fine system for anyone who dared to drop a catch during a game but rarely collected the money.

Mr Naisbitt added: “The players and supporters are all inconsolable. The team will never be the same without him.”