Tributes have been paid to a beloved 'Mithai' sweet shop boss who has passed away, aged 79.

Hardish Singh Virdee, known affectionately by locals as 'Uncle Ji', was a pillar of Gravesend's Sikh community and a pioneer of bringing Punjabi culture to Kent.

He died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Tuesday morning.

The Indian-born Sikh owned a restaurant in the Punjab for two years before migrating to the UK with his family at the age of 20 in 1963.

He founded Virdee Stores with his father in 1968 having learned the trade while in Kenya.

Together, with his wife Surinder Kaur, they have become much-loved local figures in the town.

Not only was it the first Indian sweet shop, it also once had the largest Asian music selection in the south east.

And it did not take long for Hardish to triumph the stomachs of Gravesend residents with both his nationally and internationally famous besan barfi.

Many of the sweets which are made fresh on site are cooked from recipes he had created himself.

Uncle Ji is remembered as a favourite among visiting children who he would sneak extra treats to while he packed family orders.

Hardish's absence will be felt across the community this weekend during the town's Vaisakhi festivities.

Brother Jagdev said: "The procession always passes the shop and every year he distributed sweets and snacks to thousands passing by. This will be the first year that the shop will be closed."

Hardish died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family earlier this week.

"We hope you’ll remember him fondly from your visits to the shop, for his kindness and integrity, for his contributions to the town and community and of course for that besan," said his son, Satnam and daughter, Harpinder on behalf of the family.

"It was a life well lived, we couldn't be more proud of the man he was. May he rest in Peace."

Virdee Stores continues to thrive in Arthur Street under the management of daughter, Gurpreet and son-in-law, Aran.

Following news of his passing hundreds of people paid tributes on a post shared by Virdee Stores online.

One read: "RIP .....he was always the man who I saw when I came along for some delicious treats...polite, kind, courteous....Best samosas in town."

Another added: "So so sorry to hear this! Uncle Ji was an amazing man and he will forever be in our hearts as one of the kindest and most humble of men that so many of us had the privilege to meet."

Hardish is survived by his wife, four siblings, three children and three grandchildren.