A much-loved cricket scorer who volunteered with a cricket club for 50 years has died.

Jean Rumsey, known to be in her 80s, died yesterday morning.

Miss Rumsey, of Palmerston Road, Buckhurst Hill, was a scorer for Wanstead and Snaresbrook Cricket Club (WSCC) in Overton Drive since the 1960s and volunteered for various clubs in the area.

She later became vice president of South Woodford Cricket Club and helped set up the junior club at WSCC, which now has more than 350 members.

Club captain of WSCC, Arfan Akram, said: “She gave a tremendous amount of time to the club and was a genuinely lovely and caring woman.

“I remember playing a match in Durham five or six years ago and someone said to me, ‘You’re wearing a Wanstead shirt, you must know Jean Rumsey.’

“That’s how well known she was. She always had time to talk to everyone.”

Chris Hurd, treasurer of WSCC, said: “She was a lovely lady and was well known over Essex and throughout the country - I've known her for over 50 years.

“The first thing anyone said when you mentioned WSCC was Jean.”

Known as “Auntie Jean”, many members of the club have left messages on Twitter in tribute.

WSCC cricketer Joe Ellis tweeted: “RIP Auntie Jean. Legend of @Wansteadcc. Bought my first ever cricket jumper off her and many packets of sweets! Fond memories always.”

Christopher Burgess of Middlesbrough Football Club, tweeted: “Terribly sad to hear the passing of Auntie Jean. She resembled everything @Wansteadcc stands for, a terrific lady who will be missed sorely.”

She is survived by her brother Fred Rumsey, 78, of Stepney Green, former England cricketer and founder of the Professional Cricketers Association (PCA).