Ashes memorial for man who died after drinks binge

Ashes memorial for man who died after drinks binge

The ashes of a former Militant activist who died after a drinking binge to celebrate Labour's election victory will be contested in an annual cricket match in his memory.

Keith Narey, 50, a second cousin of Bradford South Labour MP Gerry Sutcliffe, was found dead outside his Bradford home last Saturday after a marathon two-day drinking session.

Regulars at his local pub, the Brewery Tap, have bought an urn to hold Mr Narey's ashes, which will be on show in the pub. Mr Narey umpired for the pub's cricket team, and it will now hold commemorative matches against a team from the Bradford Campaign for Real Ale.

The real Ashes, played for between England and Australia, were first awarded in 1882 after the first Australian Test victory on English soil. Although inspired by a newspaper death notice for English cricket which said the ashes would be taken to Australia, the real Ashes never leave Lord's.

Like the real thing, Mr Narey's ashes will remain at the pub regardless of which team wins.