A shop owner who helped provide and repair bicycles for generations of families in his hometown has died.

Steve Green, who was Whitstable born and bred, was affectionately known as Mr Herbert because of his business, Herberts Cycles, where he worked as a mechanic and salesman.

He was often seen cycling along the seafront in his recumbent bike and was a respected member of the community.

Leading tributes to the 89-year-old, his stepdaughter, Nic Willett, told KentOnline: “He was just utterly amazing.

“Steve was such a massive support to me, and I hope I was to him as well.

“When my mum died, I really got to know him. I visited him a lot, and we had such fantastic times.

“He taught me how to make jam, forage for mushrooms, plant potatoes – he was always wanting to teach you stuff and he really encouraged me.

“He also had a fantastic sense of humour and was a bit of a practical joker.”

Herberts Cycles, an institution of Whitstable, was founded by Mr Green’s father, Herbert Green, in 1939 and has been open in the High Street ever since.

After taking over the business, Mr Green adapted it to suit changes in trade throughout his tenure.

In the 1980s the shop stopped selling an assortment of items, as it had done previously, to focus solely on bicycles following the mountain bike boom.

Ms Willett believes her stepdad “pretty much sold everybody their bike” over the years – including legendary actor and fellow Whitstable resident Peter Cushing.

“He was just one of those people that everybody knew from their childhood,” she said.

“Whitstable was a really big cycling town; everybody cycled back in the day, and Steve would know everybody who had a bike.

“I worked there for a while and so many characters came in through the door.”

After completing his national service with the RAF with the glider pilot regiment in Egypt between 1953 and 1955 – an experience which left him understimulated – Mr Green became a founding member and instructor of the Kent Gliding Club.

A keen outdoorsman, he excelled in skiing and badminton and also joined the Whitstable Yacht Club, where he met his first wife Pam in 1960.

He met his second, Liz Willett, at a dinner party in 1978, with stepchildren Nic and Mark often accompanying Mr Green on shrimping trips on Sundays.

They were married for 34 years before she died in 2017, with Mr Green picking up gardening and growing food in her absence.

After retiring 22 years ago, he lived life well, obtaining a private pilot licence in 2003, often whisking away his wife to lunch dates in France for the afternoon.

He also took up bowling, while continuing lifelong interests in foraging and cooking.

“Like a lot of men who retire, I think, they're at a loss at what to do, aren't they? They've worked all their lives,” said Ms Willett.

“But he was never going to settle down.

“Mum wasn't really into sailing, so he got rid of the boat and she must have liked the idea of just going on these plane trips every week.”

Herberts remained in the family until 2002, when Keith Spencer, an apprentice of Mr Green’s, took it on upon his retirement.

Mr Spencer also paid tribute to his former boss and mentor, noting he had been a reliable friend during their time working together.

The 49-year-old said: “I worked with Steve for many, many years and we had a good friendship – he’ll be sorely missed.

“He was very dry-humoured and, behind the scenes, we had a great laugh.

“I was a lot younger and he was a lot older, but it was great fun to work with somebody that was extremely knowledgeable, very friendly and had a great sense of humour.

“It was a great time and a really fun place to be.”

Mr Green died on June 20 after a lengthy battle with heart problems.

His funeral is to be held at Herne Bay Crematorium on Friday, July 19, at 3pm, with all welcome to attend.