Prince of Wales honours Windrush cricketing pioneer in Leeds

The prince visited Alford Gardner at his home in Leeds for ITV's Pride Of Britain: A Windrush Special documentary

One of only two surviving passengers of the Empire Windrush ship has been honoured by the Prince of Wales for his work in breaking down racial barriers.

Alford Gardner, 97, set up Britain's first Caribbean cricket club shortly after arriving in the UK in 1948.

Prince William visited him at his home in Leeds, before taking him to the city's Headingley cricket ground for a surprise party with cricketing stars.

The prince said Mr Gardner had "changed the lives of so many".

Mr Gardner served as an RAF motor mechanic during WWII, and later returned to England on the famous vessel after the British government passed a new law allowing people from the Caribbean to live and work in Britain.

The HMT Empire Windrush brought 492 passengers to the UK from a number of Caribbean islands, including Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, to help fill post-war labour shortages.

Mr Gardner played cricket with Prince William at a party at Headingley cricket ground

Mr Gardner started the cricket club three months after arriving in the UK as a way of helping to break down racial barriers.

At the celebration to honour his endeavours, Prince William praised his "positive spirit" and said: "We are here because of one person, who changed the lives of so many."

Mr Gardner was joined at Headingley by friends, family and famous cricketing names, including former England and Yorkshire cricketer Darren Gough, as part of an ITV documentary Pride Of Britain: A Windrush Special.

Gough paid tribute to Mr Gardner's legacy, saying: "Growing up and playing cricket in Yorkshire, everyone knew about the Caribbean Cricket Club.

"To set up something that's lasted that test of time is an amazing testament to Alford himself and with the turnout today, it shows how well he's regarded in cricket."

'Mentally strong'

Caribbean Cricket Club captain Claude Davis said: "When Alford set out to do this, that was impossible.

"The amount of red tape or what we call racism. He would've had to go through all sorts and be really mentally strong to overcome all those obstacles."

Prince William described the club as having acted as a "hub" for people in the area.

As part of the celebrations, Mr Gardner bowled at the prince who urged him: "Easy ball, easy ball Alford. Be gentle."

Mr Gardner was recently immortalised in paint to mark the 75th anniversary of the Windrush crossing.

He received an Outstanding Contribution award at the Daily Mirror Pride Of Britain Awards on 8 October.