Tony Wrangles, of Steyning, suffered a heart attack after developing cellulitis following an insect bite. He died on Saturday (May 24), aged 61.

Mr Wrangles served with Sussex Police – including more than two decades spent with the fraud squad, in Lancing – and retired in 1996.

A keen sportsman, he played for Shoreham Cricket Club and also for Steyning, where he later became chairman.

Wife Jean told the Herald: "He was a very good chairman for 10 years, an excellent chairman.

"He was a competitor in everything he did. He didn't do anything by halves – anything he did, he did it wholeheartedly."

Mrs Wrangles said one of her husband's strengths was his ability to help others, and people knew where to turn in times of need.

"He helped a lot of people," she said. "Whatever sort of problem you had, he could sort it out. He seemed to know everything.

"People always knew who to ring if they had a problem. He was happy to help everyone."

Family friend Sheila Ford described Mr Wrangles as a larger than life character, and said he would be sorely missed.

She added: "He was larger than life in every way. He was highly intelligent, as I would often tell him. From a personal point of view, he was a good bloke to know. He was a very good friend and a very generous man."

Tony King, former secretary of Shoreham Cricket Club, remembered Mr Wrangles from his days with the club and said as a player he could be relied upon to help the team out of a tight spot.

Mr King said: "He wasn't what I would call a classical cricketer – he was quite an aggressive batsman. He enjoyed the game. He was good when an attacking innings was required.

"He was a good club cricketer and a good team member. He was a jolly good chap."

Steyning Cricket Club president Geoff Chalcraft echoed Mr King's sentiments as he paid tribute to Mr Wrangles.

He told the Herald: "He kept wicket and batted very well for the club, for the first and second eleven teams.

"He was all for the club. He was a very able chairman. He was instrumental in the running and the enlargement of the club. He was a good man."

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