A man who was a larger than life character at a Fen church for more than 80 years has died at the age of 88.

George Granger joined St Peter’s at Wimblington when he was a seven year old orphan in 1934 and from that day became a well known face among the congregation.

As a teenager he got kicked out of the choir for misbehaving but after singing out of time deliberately in the pews the then Canon Henry Walker Dobson relented and let him back in.

Churchwarden Peter James said: “George was a character, he really was.

“He was around St Peter’s for decades and was not the sort of person you could miss. He had no family and never married so the church became his life.”

Mr Granger continued to sing in the choir until about 18 months ago when he was taken into residential care when his health declined.

During his long service at the church he was the verger, parochial church council member, general handyman, official timekeeper for the sermons and for about 50 years carried the church cross on special occasions.

He was connected with the March Town Cricket Club for more than 65 years where he first played and then umpired until the late 1990s.

He once scored for Cambridgeshire County Cricket Club and also umpired for them.

Rev Anthony Chandler said: “he had a huge love of cricket and encouraged players of all ages.

“He used to sell the sports paper the Pink Un on Saturday evenings at March fountain which bought his first car.”

Mr Granger was renowned as a first class butcher working for Hugh Reynolds at the Wimblington and Chatteris shops.

Rev Chandler said: “He was a character who we will all miss. His favourite phrase was, I’m in charge! You certainly knew when you were in George’s company.”

Mr Granger, formerly of Grounds Avenue, March, died on January 21 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn.