Former England and Yorkshire cricketer Geoffrey Boycott has married the woman who stood by him for 30 years and is nursing him through his battle with throat cancer.

Local county officials in the Yorkshire town of Wakefield have confirmed that Boycott married Rachael Swinglehurst, his partner for nearly 30 years and the mother of their daughter Emma, 14, in a register office ceremony.

News of the marriage has surprised friends and family of the 62-year-old batsman who had earlier gone on record to say he hated the idea of marriage.

He also had a series of highly publicised affairs, but Ms Swinglehurst stood by him despite all the embarrassments.

It has been Boycott's fight with cancer that has brought the couple together, resulting in last week's low-key wedding ceremony.

Emma was also present among the handful of those who attended, but many of Boycott's friends and his brother Peter were absent.

Peter Boycott later said, "It is totally new to me. He must have wanted to keep it private. It will be a boost for Geoffrey to get married. Rachael has been a tower of strength to him."

One close friend and local country official Norman Hazell said, "I'm surprised to hear this, but he and Rachael make a lovely couple."

In a deeply moving personal statement last December Boycott revealed how Ms Swinglehurst had helped him to endure three months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

"I don't know what I would have done without her", he said. "We were told Rachael should gently persuade me to eat, drink and keep me going. Rachael did better than that --- she donned her top hat and tails and whipped me to eat and drink.

"She reminded me to take my pills, still changes my dressings, gives me painkillers and feeds me down a tube. Most of all she is there to keep my spirits up."

Four years ago Boycott was given a three month suspended jail sentence by a French court after he was found guilty of beating up former girl friend Margaret Moore.

He was diagnoised with cancer on September 2002 after doctors found a tumour at the base of his tongue and three secondary growths in his neck.

Friends say he has lost two stone [approx 12.7 kgs] in weight.