The talent and character of former England and Kent cricket captain Mike Denness has been praised by his friends today at a thanksgiving service at Canterbury Cathedral.

The cricketer lost his fight with cancer aged 72 in April during his final week of office as President of Kent County Cricket Club.

He had captained England in 19 tests and scored 25,886 first class runs.

Hundreds of friends from the world of cricket joined his family for the service in the Crypt, which was organised by the club and led by the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, the Very Rev Dr Robert Willis.

The guests included former teammate Derek Underwood, former Kent captain Chris Cowdrey and TV celebrity Chris Tarrant, who played with Mike Denness in charity Lord’s Taverners matches.

Past president and former Kent and West Indian all-rounder John Shepherd spoke of how he had been welcomed into Mike Denness's home when he first arrived in Britain, which led to a life long friendship.

He said: "Mike was a man of principle who succeeded me as President and carried out his duties with pride.

"He was a most stylish batsman and but also a true gentleman who was loyal and gracious. He was a good man and we all miss him."

In his address, the Dean said: "It has been said he was too sensitive to be a captain and leader but I say they are the best qualities. It is not just the cricketer we remember today but the man.

"He was a quality human being as well as a quality player".

In his eulogy, current club president Bob Bevan said Mike Denness had meant so much to people both in and outside the game.

He spoke emotionally of their long close friendship, saying: "Mike was a man everyone was pleased to see.

"He gave freely of his time and would help anyone when he could, enriching the lives of all who met him.

"He was always interested in you. Playing a straight bat was an analogy for his life and his honesty and integrity.

"We would all like to aspire to the standards he set but they are impossibly big boots to fill."

He said the pair would joke about Denness's Scottish heritage - he was the only Scottish-born cricketer to captain Kent.

But Denness also had the last laugh when the service ended with the playing of the bagpipes to the amusement of the congregation

After the service, Mike's son Craig Denness said: "It was nice to hear so many people say such nice things about our father, which we as a family had known for years.

"It was also good to hear that he was so well-respected and we thought it was a wonderful service and tribute to him."