A former athlete living in Barrow has left behind a lasting legacy after his death at the age of 83.

Peter Hall died on January 26 having made a name for himself in the cross country and fell running scene.

His close friend Ron Winward has detailed the sort of man Mr Hall was and the glory he earned at the peak of his powers.

Mr Winward said: "In the 1960's his cross country and fell running achievements were outstanding.

"He won the Lancashire XC title when Lancashire were the top team in the land, and he also represented England at cross country which he also did later in his career as a veteran."

Mr Hall joined Barrow Athletic Club after finishing school and soon excelled at distance running with Mr Winward explaining that he was 'an outdoor person in every sense of the word'.

"In fell running, he was the best of his era, winning Ben Nevis on four occasions between 1962 and 1965, setting the record for the old course," said Mr Winward.

"He completed the Three Peaks in Yorkshire in 1964 - also breaking the record - and the Lake District Mountain trial, which isn't even mentioning all the other fell races he won."

Other victories included his triumph in the Lancashire 20-mile race at Morecambe.

And it was not just running that he seemed to excel at, trying his hand at motorsport and cycling.

Mr Winward added: "Peter set the record for the Three Peaks - Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon - by car with the assistance of Frank Davies, a rally driver from Ambleside.

"He also did the Three Peaks yacht race on two occasions, finishing fourth, and cycled from Lands End to John O Groats, alongside completing The Coast to Coast with his wife, Jean."

Closer to home, Peter was a valued member of the community, being an active member with Jean of the Barrow Ramblers and the Barrow Field Naturalists Field Club.