A SERVICE of Celebration will be taking place at Bicknoller Church on Sunday to commemorate 100 years - to the day - since the birth of Somerset cricketing hero Harold Gimblett.

Arguably the county's greatest ever batsman, Gimblett was born in Bicknoller in 1914 and played cricket locally for Watchet.

He made cricketing history when he hit the fastest century of the season on his debut against Essex at Frome in 1935.

Between then and 1954, he went on to play in 329 matches in which he scored over 21,000 runs at an average of 39.96, with 49 centuries.

The service will include contributions from, among others, club chaplain Rob Walrond and club president Roy Kerslake - who will talk about Gimblett's career at Somerset as well as a representative of the West Somerset Cricket League who will talk about local cricket today.

There will also be some memorabilia on display which has been provided by the Somerset Cricket Museum.

The service is at 3pm followed by free refreshments at the Bicknoller Inn.

Rob Walrond is keen to hear from anyone who has any memories of Harold Gimblett and he can be contacted on 07967 838499.