Tributes have poured in for a “truly remarkable” former seafront sweet shop owner after his sudden death.

Paul Weeks, best known for running the Sweet Hut on The Leas, Minster, has died aged 70.

Paul lived in Sittingbourne all his life and spent 41 years married to Nina who has been left “heartbroken” by his death.

The pair sold traditional sweets from the Sweet Hut after opening it in 2014. They retired last year.

Before that, Paul worked at electrical engineering firm Klippons, what is now Weidmullers, in Sheerness for more than 20 years.

Outside of work, he loved vintage motorcycles and unusual vehicles.

In 1992 this led him to buy a ramshackle Dot delivery tricycle, which at the time was, according to Nina, “a rusty old heap”.

She recalled asking him: “What the hell are you going to do with that?”

He quickly joked that he was going to restore it and sell peanuts and toffee apples.

“Once the restoration was finished we did exactly that and had many years enjoying doing steam events and vehicle shows,” Nina added.

Over his years of collecting Paul also managed to get his hands on a 1931 Raleigh Karryall, a 1970s’ ice cream trike, a 1920s’ Warwick cart and a 1971 Citroen H van, which he travelled to France to acquire.

But when Paul was told the lease for the old lifeguard's hut at Minster Leas was up for sale he quickly talked Nina into buying it and turning his dream of running a sweet shop into a reality.

Nina said her husband spent many months planning and with the help of friends, converted the empty building into the Sweet Hut.

“Paul loved working there, and I often joked that it was like his own little social club,” Nina continued.

“Many of his old work friends would pop in for a chat and a coffee.”

Paul wanted to encourage the community to make more use of the beach and started organising various events.

They included Punch and Judy acts, choirs, bands and the classic car show, thanks to sponsorship from Minster Parrish Council.

However, after eight years of running the Sweet Hut the pair decided to retire, partly due to Paul having health issues.

Paul’s nephew Steven Read was keen to take over the business to carry it on as a focal point on The Leas.

After just over a year of retirement, Paul’s health took a very sudden turn for the worse.

Just four days after celebrating his 70th birthday he died at Medway Maritime Hospital on Thursday, November 23.

Nina, who is 65, said: “He is going to leave a massive hole in our lives.

“Our daughter Zoe and I have been overwhelmed with the lovely messages and comments, so many of them saying what a lovely gentleman he was.

"He was a truly remarkable man and wonderful husband, dad and grandad-of-two. We are going to miss him so much."

Minster parish councillor John Nurden also fondly remembers his times with Paul and was “shocked” to hear of his death.

“At one stage we even briefly discussed buying a ‘land train’ together so that we could run trips from the Little Oyster at Minster along the promenade into the heart of Sheerness stopping at Tesco,” Cllr Nurden said.

“The only thing which defeated us were the steps at Neptune Terrace which meant any vehicle, including cycles, prams and mobility scooters, had to abandon the seafront for a few yards and drive along the terrifyingly narrow Marine Parade.

“Instead, Paul toyed with the idea of renting out electric bikes.

“He was a lovely man.”