Hundreds of people are expected to attend the funeral today of Cockermouth stalwart George Todhunter.

It will be held at All Saints Church, where George married Jean, his wife of 44 years.

George died last Thursday, aged 68. A former managing director of Thomas Armstrong Construction, he had been diagnosed with liver cancer in August 2015.

A few weeks ago, lifelong cricket fan George was visited by England player Ben Stokes, who he knew through Cockermouth Cricket Club.

Ben and his children joined George and Jean at their Harrot Hill home.

“It was the day that Ben’s vice captaincy was announced. His visit really lifted George’s spirits, he was so pleased to see him,” said Jean.

The club played a huge part in his life. George, who had two daughters, Emma and Sara, was a member for 60 years.

He played for many years and later became an official.

He was vice president up until his death.

George was delighted to attend an event there two weeks ago when the club named the pavilion after him.

“He was touched and humbled,” said Jean. “The club meant so much to him, the children pretty much grew up there. It was a big part of all our lives.”

George was born and bred in Cockermouth and worked for Thomas Armstrong Construction for over 42 years.

He worked his way up to the top position.

He was a town councillor for eight years and a member of Cockermouth Rotary Club for over 20 years.

In the weeks before his death, he wrote his obituary, supported by his daughter Sara, who lives in London and is a production assistant with the BBC. Emma is a broadcast journalist with BBC Cumbria and lives in Cockermouth.

“He organised his whole funeral, the order of service, readings and hymns,” said Jean.

Rotarian and friend Brian Mitchelhill is due to read You’ll Never Walk Alone at today’s service.

Brian said: “George gave service on all the committees and was president in 2013/14.

“The motto of Rotary is Service above Self and George epitomised that.

“He did as much as he could for the community and others around the world. He will be truly missed.”

Fellow cricket club member and Rotarian John Grainger will give the eulogy.

“I have known George for 25 years. He was an inspirational leader with everything he did with the cricket club, no more than when we had the catastrophic floods of 2009 and 2015.

“After both of these he project managed the recovery of the grounds and club, with great success.”

The committee chose to name the pavilion after George.

“We were aware he was coming to the end of his life and thought it would be a fitting tribute that he could come to the pavilion he loved so much and see it named after him,” said John.

The funeral will be held at 2pm. Donations will go to the cricket club.

Sara said: “Over the years we have all raised a lot of money for cancer charities but we were all in agreement that donations should go to the upkeep of the club which meant so much to dad.”