A MEMORIAL service for cricket legend Graham Dilley is taking place at Worcester Cathedral next month.

The former Worcestershire and England player died on Wednesday, October 5, after a short battle with cancer.

Following a private family funeral, there will be a thanksgiving service for “Dill” at the cathedral on Wednesday, November 9 at 2.30pm.

The event is being organised by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and colleagues of Mr Dilley who he worked with as head cricket coach at Loughborough University.

The memorial service is not a public event but will be open to all family, friends, former colleagues and cricket associates.

Mr Dilley’s family, including his son and Worcester Warriors captain Chris Pennell, are looking to raise money for the hospice which cared for him in the days before he died.

After spending a short period in hospital, Mr Dilley, aged 52, was taken to a hospice in Leicester run by the Leicestershire and Rutland Organisation for the Relief of Suffering (LOROS).

Mr Dilley’s family have asked that donations in lieu of flowers are sent to the hospice.

Chris Pennell’s brother Paul has set up a fundraising page at justgiving.com/grahamdilley.

A family statement on the site said: “During his final days with us he was cared for at the LOROS hospice in Leicester.

"The facilities and staff were, as Dill would say, ‘top drawer’.

“It was a comfort for us to know Graham was being so well cared for in such a lovely environment.”

The hospice relies solely on donations from the public and organisations.

A spokesman for the ECB said full details of the memorial service are likely to be announced next week.

Mr Dilley played 41 test for England helping them to two Ashes wins in 1981 and 1986/7.

He joined Worcestershire in 1987 and was part of the county’s most successful ever side winning back to back county championships in 1988 and 1989.

Mr Dilley’s family, which is spread across the country, have asked for all letters of condolence and goodwill to be sent to: C/O Dr Guy Jackson, National Cricket Performance Centre, England & Wales Cricket Board, Loughborough University campus, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU.

All letters of condolence should be marked Graham Dilley in the top left hand corner of the envelope.