A MEMORIAL fund has been set up in remembrance of a long serving teacher who died earlier this year.

In memory of his late wife Audrey, Professor Barrie Dale has established a fund in her name at rugby league club Leigh Centurions.

The couple are heavily involved with the club, and Professor Dale said it would create a fitting tribute to his wife, who died in June aged 65, after a short battle with cancer.

The fund will be used to support appropriate projects decided on by the club, with money being transferred to it on an annual basis.

Mrs Dale worked at Tottington High School for more than three decades and worked as head of science.

Professor Dale, who is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Manchester's business department, said: "Audrey was a born and bred Bury girl, but during the time she supported the Centurions, Audrey became an adopted Leyther.

"Audrey was very much taken by the kindness and friendship of the Leigh fans and came to regard them as 'family'.

"Audrey was a renowned maker of cakes and produced numerous cakes for players, staff, Touchdown Club members and also to mark special events at Leigh Centurions.

"Audrey's knitting skills where the equal of her cake making and Centurions players Dave Alstead,Tommy Goulden,Stuart Littler and Greg McNally all received various knitted garments for their new babies."

The club held a minute's applause in Mrs Dale's honour before a match earlier this year.