Graham Dilley in 1980 playing for Kent County Cricket Club

by Lizzie Massey

There is only one thing left standing in the way of a memorial plaque for fast-bowling cricket star Graham Dilley – somewhere to put it.

The Dartford council rule that no person can be considered for a plaque until they have been dead for 10 years has been dismissed by the council leader, Jeremy Kite.

"We like breaking rules in Dartford," said Cllr Kite. "If it's the right thing to do, we will do it.

"For somebody deserving like Graham Dilley it's really not a problem.

"It doesn't take any time at all to change the rule."

The only issue left for the council now is deciding where it ought to go.

The council is in talks with Dartford Cricket Club to develop a new pavilion and considering that as a potential spot for the plaque.

Cllr Kite said: "It's in the early stages though, and we're still some way away but it would be a shame to put it somewhere less visible. We want the public to be able to see it."

Graham Dilley, who was born in Dartford, died of cancer last year. He was part of the England cricket team that won the Ashes twice in the 1980s.