Two Sandwich brothers, who were well-known and loved for keeping the brass door knockers of the town shining, will be honoured by the community with a memorial bench.

Robert Calcutt and his brother David lived in St George’s Road, having moved to the town around 20 years ago.

Since their deaths, townspeople have come together to raise funds for a bench in their memory. The new bench will replace a broken one in St Peter’s churchyard.

Robert died only last month, on February 23, age 71, after a short illness. He had spent his last days in Kearsney Manor care home in Dover – a home which had been carefully picked by his closest friend, Simon Harrison.

Mr Harrison, 43, the owner of Sandwich’s fruit and veg shop, The Fruit Bowl, said: “I’ve known Robert ever since he moved to Sandwich. He used to go round knocking on people’s doors, asking them if they’d like their brasses done.

“He had about 15 to 25 customers and he was still doing it a day before he was taken ill.

“He loved his football but was passionate about Manchester United. He always used to come round to my house and watch the football.

“He was a fantastic guy with friends everywhere. He would do anything for anyone. He’ll be missed by the whole of Sandwich.”

In his younger years, Robert was a sports reporter, having trained at a college in London.

His brother had a small arcade machine business, which, when he died some five years ago, Robert took on.

The brass cleaning had also been his brother’s business but Robert carried it on.

Sandwich residents Stephanie Henry, Jan Cooper and Judith Scollard started the fundraising for the bench.

Ms Henry said: “We’ve decided to get him a bench as there is one in St Peter’s Church which is to be demolished, so we thought it would be a fitting tribute to them both to place a new bench there in their memory.”

The community is hoping to raise £500.

Any left over will be used to help buy some memorial trees to plant on the outskirts of the town.

Collection tins can be found at Cattle Market Surgery, The Fruit Bowl, Age Concern, Rose & Tony’s Baps & Bloomer and Brewers shoe shop.

Ms Henry said the fundraisers were hoping to find someone to install the bench and a carpenter to help them save the inscription on the old bench.

If you think you could help out, pop in or call one of the shops.