LEGENDARY cricket umpire Dickie Bird OBE has died aged 92.

The Barnsley man played cricket for both Yorkshire and Leicestershire before retiring aged 31.

He made his name as an umpire, taking charge of 66 Test matches and dozens of one-day internationals, including three World Cup finals.

Dickie was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1986 and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2012 for his services to cricket and charity.

Throughout the years, Dickie has donated £1m of his own money to children’s charities across the region.

He pledged more than £100,000 to Barnsley Hospital’s Tiny Hearts Appeal.

He was also awarded the Freedom of Barnsley in 2000.

A statue was erected in the town centre in his honour in 2009, depicting his famous stance whilst an umpire.

His autobiography, published in 1997, sold more than a million copies.

It included a foreword from the legendary Barnsley man Michael Parkinson, who he was lifelong friends with.

He was a Barnsley Football Club fan and was in attendance in their last home match against Reading earlier this month.

Dickie also had a huge passion for Yorkshire CCC and enjoyed a spell as president in 2014.

Mayor of Barnsley Dave Leech said: “Dickie was a global sporting icon, a wonderful ambassador for Barnsley, and a friend to anyone he met.

“He was rightly awarded Freedom of the Borough of Barnsley which is a role I know he cherished.

“He would always attend events whenever he could, including Remembrance Sunday and commemorations of historical events and battles, military parades, the annual Proud of Barnsley awards, and any event where he could enjoy the company of Barnsley people.

“He attended my mayor-making ceremony in May, where he was in fine spirits and everyone made a beeline to speak to him.

“I’m grateful to Dickie for all he’s done for Barnsley, especially the generous support he has given to many charities, including Barnsley Hospital’s Tiny Hearts Appeal, which raised funds for a new neonatal unit.

“My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.”

Dickie’s sister, Marjorie Wyatt, added: “Dickie was always proud of putting Barnsley on the map - he was Barnsley through and through.

“He was very caring and used to bring us home souvenirs.

“I would wash his cricket whites and his famous white flat cap, and he always appreciated that they would be immaculate and he would be turned out the best.

“What I will remember most about him was that he was always good at making decisions.”