owzat! Headingley plays host to cricket legend Dickie Bird

One of the cricket world's most famous figures was bowled over - but certainly not stumped - to be guest of honour at a glittering event held at Headingley.

Fans, friends and family gathered at the stadium, home to Yorkshire Cricket Club, to celebrate legendary international umpire Dickie Bird's 80th birthday and help raise funds for his foundation, which supports young, able-bodied and disabled people in sport.

Around 250 guests attended the dinner, which was held in the Long Room at Headingley and was followed by speeches from guest speakers including national cricket selector Geoff Miller and comedian Sean Styles with a vote of thanks by Dickie himself.

The three-course menu created by chefs from Sodexo Prestige, which manages conferences and events for the Headingley Experience at the stadium, began with homemade Yorkshire pudding with rich, red wine and onion gravy.

This was followed by supreme of chicken, with Headingley chunky chips, green vegetables and a tarragon jus, with a dessert of vanilla crème brulee with homemade shortbread.

In its own tribute to Dickie, who was awarded an OBE in 2012 for his sporting endeavours and charity work for underprivileged youngsters, Betty's of Harrogate donated a specially-created birthday cake decorated to replicate the Yorkshire Tea box, which shows a cricket theme.

Thanking the Headingley Experience, event organiser and BBC cricket correspondent Dave Callaghan said: "I felt this was your finest performance in the time I have been using Headingley for dinners. The food was excellent, the service was superb, with a minimum of fuss and the staff were efficient and really friendly."

Colin Perkins, Account Director North, of The Headingley Experience, said: "It is virtually impossible to think of Yorkshire cricket without bringing Dickie Bird to mind. He is a wonderful ambassador for the sport and for the county and it was a great pleasure to host this special event in his honour."