THE head of English cricket and a war survivor were among hundreds who paid tribute to former Colchester cricketer Rob George.

Rob, 21, a former Colchester Royal Grammar School pupil and member of Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club, died from leukaemia.

His parents, Philip and Lorraine, set up the Rob George Foundation in his memory and on Saturday they hosted their first major event – a festival of cricket.

Philip said: “It was overwhelming how many people came.

“We must have had about 100 involved and another 500 at least watching.

“It was very emotional. Rob would have loved to see all his friends and relatives, from all his walks of life, get together.”

Visit http://therobgeorgefoundati.ipage.com/wordpress/

For more information and many more pics, see Tuesday's Gazette