Raising a glass to cricket legend Fred Trueman

The first bottles of the Freddie Trueman Yorkshire Ale were unveiled by former umpire Dickie Bird at the Copper Dragon Brewery, in Skipton.

During his cricketing career, fast bowler Trueman became the first Englishman to take 300 international Test wickets and played 459 matches for his Yorkshire team.

Now, the memory of the Yorkshireman, who died in 2006, is being celebrated with the "hoppy, amber" ale and a bronze statue, which will be unveiled later this year.

The ale, which has been two months in the making, was launched today by Bird, Trueman's wife Veronica and a party of local dignitaries.

Speaking at the launch, Bird said: "It's a great honour to be able to pay tribute to a character that lit up the game of cricket and I'm sure Fred would have wholeheartedly approved of an ale being brewed in his name."

Mrs Trueman added: "Fred will be properly remembered and his legacy will live on in the form of a stunning statue and a traditional Yorkshire ale."

Gordon Wilkinson, the head brewer at Copper Dragon, who masterminded the ale's creation, said: "His reputation stretches far and wide but he has a special place in the hearts and minds of Yorkshire folk and it's entirely apt that it's been brewed in the Dales, an area in which Fred spent his later years and loved dearly."

Trueman, who was nicknamed Fiery Fred, is regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers in history.

Born in South Yorkshire in 1931, he made his Yorkshire first class debut in 1949, taking 1,745 wickets over 459 matches, and took 307 wickets in 67 Test matches for England.

Trueman retired in 1972 to pursue a career in the media.

The bronze statue of the cricketer in action, created by Barnsley-based sculptor Graham Ibbeson, will be unveiled on March 18 in Skipton.