A town has been plunged into mourning following the death of a popular ex-Royal Marine turned bicycle repair man.

Michael Furness, 79, died suddenly at his home last Tuesday.

Mr Furness started as a Private at the Marines' 41 Commando section at Deal in the 1960s.

Over the last 22 years Mr Furness, of Dola Avenue, Deal, had run a not for profit bicycle recycling and repair business.

He worked on almost 1,000 machines a year and was locally nicknamed Mike the Bike.

When fully repaired he donated the bicycles to various charity shops including Barnardo’s and Cancer Research, and sold some privately to pay for new parts.

One of his sons, Adam Furness, told KentOnline: "He was very popular and so many people in Deal knew him because of his time with the Marines and for his work on bicycles.

"Townsfolk described him as a gentleman."

"He would stop and talk to anybody and help anybody so a lot of people were upset when he died.

"This is really hard because it happened so suddenly and we are waiting for the post mortem results."

By today (Monday) there were 86 tribute comments for Mr Furness on Facebook including on the local page Deal Kent for the Delighted and Delightful.

Townsfolk described him as a "lovely, generous man," a "gentleman" and a "great neighbour."

Mr Furness continued as as a chef from the Royal Marines until he was medically discharged in the late 1990s and then took up his bicycle business.

Adam also said: "He was really affected by the bombing of the barracks at Deal in 1989 as he knew all 11 of those killed.

"To lose so many people in one fell swoop would be devastating for anyone."

Michael as married to his wife Carole for 59 years and the couple had five other children, Carol, Philip, Douglas, Robert and Kevin. and several grandchildren.

The date of the funeral has not yet been confirmed but it is expected to be at St Mary's Church in Walmer.

Read more: All the latest news from Deal