Neighbours of an elderly man who died after he collapsed on his bathroom floor claim emergency crews should have reached him sooner.

Concerned delivery man Raj Patel called 999 after spotting Randolph Uden had failed to pick up his paper and eggs from the day before.

Police arrived almost two and a half hours later, and discovered the pensioner, who was in his 70s, had collapsed on the bathroom floor.

Officers called for an ambulance but it did not arrive at the house in Vinson Close, Graveney, for another hour and 15 minutes.

Mr Uden’s family told neighbour Ann Robertson that he died shortly after.

Mrs Robertson, who lived next door to Mr Uden for 11 years, said: “They should have been there over three hours before.

“I know police are really stretched, I know everything is really stretched, but they could have got to him sooner.

“I don’t think the outcome would have been any different, but he would have been a lot more comfortable, and at least he would have known someone was doing something.

“If I had realised I would have broken the windows and got in myself.”

Mrs Robertson’s husband, Barry, spoke to Mr Uden while paramedics attended to him, and he told him he had been there “many, many hours”.

"I know everything is really stretched, but they could have got to him sooner" - Ann Robertson

Mrs Robertson described Mr Uden as a private man who kept to himself, particularly since his lung-cancer diagnosis, but she and her husband had looked out for him over the years.

She said: “He was different, he could be quite funny. I used to see him shouting in his garden while I was in my kitchen and chuckle to myself.”

Mr Uden had lived in the area for at least 15 years, and looked after his mother until she died four years ago.

A police spokesperson said: “Police were called at 7.35am on Thursday, January 4, after a member of the public raised concerns about a resident in Vinson Close, Faversham, who had not taken in his newspaper or milk from the previous day.

“A patrol was initially sent to the address. However, during their journey they were diverted to the A249 following a report of a collision and debris on the carriageway.

“Another patrol became available to attend the address and arrived at 9.59am, and South East Coast Ambulance Service were called within one minute of this attendance.

“Kent Fire and Rescue Service were also called at 10.07am to assist with the medical incident.

“Upon arrival Secamb provided medical treatment and took the man to a local hospital.”

Secamb confirmed that an ambulance attended the scene at 11.20am, following a call from police.