WHARFEDALE RUFC has paid tribute to one of its playing members who died after getting into difficulties in the River Wharfe at Grassington last Thursday

Ben Marklew, 19, from Glusburn, an apprentice bricklayer with RN Wooler & Co Ltd, was a Bradford City FC fan as well as a rugby union fan and player.

His boss Gareth Wooler said Ben was 'as good as it gets' and said the firm and his work colleagues were devastated.

Ben's rugby club Wharfedale RUFC has also written a tribute to him on its website.

It reads: "Ben was a long serving member of the rugby club. Everyone at the club, alongside his family had watched him grow from a wild, cheeky lad into an ever maturing lovely young man (still with a cheeky smile).

"He leaves behind his mum Sue, dad Paul (aka Cabbage) and sister Ella.

"Over the years, under the tutelage of his dad who coached him throughout his playing days at Wharfedale, Ben developed into a fine prop forward also mobile enough to play in the back row too. Having finished his junior playing days Ben was embarking on his senior rugby career.

"All his family were great supporters of Ben and were usually there on a Sunday morning to cheer him and his team on including his nan Pat.

"They were all really proud of him. He leaves a large hole in the lives of a lot of people."