EIGHTY-four people took part in the first round of heart screening in memory of Wath Brow Hornets star Gavin Curwen.

The 40-year-old former player and coach at the rugby club tragically died earlier this year after collapsing while celebrating his upcoming birthday with friends.

A post-mortem examination confirmed he had coronary artery atherosclerosis and, following his death, family and friends set up The Gavin Curwen Heart Screening Foundation.

The screening event was held at the rugby club on Sunday which was attended by Lizzie Jones, wife of Danny Jones, who died following a cardiac arrest while playing for Keighley in 2015.

Gavin's partner, Lynda Butterworth, said she and Lizzie were "two people in the same boat".

Of those screened on Sunday at the Wath Brow club, a small number were referred for further tests.

Amy Caddy, treasurer of The Gavin Curwen Heart Screening Foundation, said: "A total of 84 people were screened and a massive thank you goes out to The Welsh Hearts Team who managed to do this. A huge thank you also goes to Lizzie Jones. You were all amazing."

Members of Hensingham ARLFC also attended the event following on from raising £800 at their own fundraiser for the foundation.

Amy explained Wath Brow donated that money back to Hensingham, with a further £1,000, to help the Whitehaven club set up their own heart screening process.

Amy said: "Lowca ARLFC and Whitehaven RUFC have expressed an interest in the Heart Screening Programme and this is something we will endeavour to help with."

And, on behalf of Gavin's family and friends, he thanked "everybody who has been involved in setting this foundation up. Long may it last and may it grow across the Rugby League family and other sports in the area".