THERE are probably few Worcestershire County cricket fans who did not know the face of faithful supporter, Don Baker, who died at his St John's home last week.

The MBE holder, who religiously visited the New Road ground for around 50 years, could usually be found in his own seat, camera-in-hand, wearing a smart, but well-worn, Panama.

But this season, his seat will be otherwise occupied, following the death of the much-loved 72-year-old on Saturday, March 31.

The retired shopkeeper, who received an MBE in 1995 for services to the community, suffered a stroke while gardening at his Bromwich Road home.

Cricket fans aside, he will be remembered by former Royal Grammar School pupils of the 1960s, as the face behind their outdoor tuck shop.

And customers of Beach's bakery, formerly in London Road, were no doubt served by the unmarried pensioner during his 44 years there.

His cousin, Phil Poole, said that, despite being told he would not survive the crippling polio he contracted as an 18-month-old, Mr Baker refused to let it beat him.

"They put him in a wheelchair as a child and he said, "I'm not sitting in that."

"He worked until he was 65, putting a lot of people to shame with his 'get on and do it' attitude."

Mr Poole said the archivist for Worcester Camera Club, vice-president for Worcester Operatic Society and fund-raiser for the Royal National Lifeboat Association, would probably have had just one regret.

"He did a lot of travelling and would have liked to go back to some of the places," he said.

Although Mr Baker harboured a deep love for photography, demonstrated by the many portraits and landscapes he entered in international competitions, his abiding passion was cricket.

"I spoke to him days before he died and he was really looking forward to this season," his cousin said.

Former WCC secretary Michael Vockins said everyone who watched cricket regularly would remember him as one of the county's keenest and most faithful supporters.

"Barely a day went by without him sitting in his seat at the foot of the staircase to the players' dressing rooms, amid the circle of friends he spent many summers alongside," he said.

"It will be strange not to see him in his seat."

His funeral is due to take place at Worcester Crematorium on Tuesday, April 16 at 12.30pm. Donations should be made to the RNLI.