One of Cumbria's greatest sportsmen will be inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame.

James Lomas, born in Maryport, will be formally recognised at a celebration dinner in Wigan on October 22.

He will become the fifth Cumbrian to join the Hall of Fame, which currently features just 35 players from the millions who have played rugby league since 1895.

Mr Lomas was a speedy winger or centre, who captained Great Britain on their first-ever tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1910.

He was born in Curzon Street in 1879 and played rugby union for Maryport RUFC before joining Yorkshire club Bramley in 1900.

(Image: Rugby League Cares)

In his 24-year career, he made 535 senior appearances for Bramley, Salford, Oldham, and York, scoring 304 tries and kicking 700 goals.

He broke the sport’s transfer record twice when he joined Salford from Bramley for £100 in 1901 and 10 years later moved to Oldham for another record fee of £300.

He played in the sport’s first-ever international game, Northern Union vs Other Nationalities at Wigan in 1904.

Mr Lomas died in 1960 at the age of 80.

Tony Sutton, chief executive of RFL, said: "We are proud and privileged to be able to acknowledge the important contributions made by the greatest players the game has ever seen.

"James Lomas and Alan Prescott are worthy entrants into the RL Hall of Fame, two players whose talent, dedication and achievements set the standard both in the eras in which they played and for all who followed them.

“We are also looking forward to revealing the names of the other new inductees next week, when more Rugby League legends will take their rightful place in the RL Hall of Fame.”

Tickets for the RL Hall of Fame dinner at The Edge, Wigan, start at 7pm and are available from Rugby League Cares.

Email events@rlcares.org.uk for more details.