A “kind and devoted” Canterbury film star and judo champion has died aged 78.

David Forester Todd lived and breathed the city, even being named after the place where he was born, Forester’s Hall (now Nasons), which served as one of Canterbury’s friendly societies.

He found fame in cult 1944 film, A Canterbury Tale.

He starred in the movie alongside Richard Attenborough’s wife, Sheila Sim, Eric Portman and Charles Hawtrey, when aged just three. “He was the youngest child actor to have a contract in place,” said proud son Russell.

David was picked after casting staff spotted him asleep in his bed at his modest home in Fordwich.

“It was a two up, two down with a toilet outside and the crew came around to pick characters,” said Russell.

The caper, filmed around Fordwich, Wickhambreaux and Chilham, has gained notoriety in recent years, with Hollywood behemoth, Martin Scorsese hailing the film’s creators Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger as major influences.

The Goodfellas director even tried to track down an extant copy of the film.

Even though David did not progress his film career, he still met up with cast members with even Sir Richard in attendance with Sheila.

Like the legendary actor, David was also devoted to his wife Daphne.

The childhood sweethearts married at St Gregory’s Church and they had Russell and daughter Melanie.

The family lived in the London Road area and the great-grandfather became a sheet welder in Broad Oak. “Dad used to help mend all the cars - that’s what you used to do then,” said Russell.

Aside from family life, David was an expert in judo and was a well-known coach at Canterbury Judo Club.

His skills held him in good stead after he stopped a fugitive with a knife.

In 1977 David bumped into the assailant on London Road. He put the man - on the run from assaulting his girlfriend in the north - in a headlock and disarmed him.

He said at the time: “It was the natural thing for me to do - I teach it every day of the week.”

Daughter-in-law Tanya says his happiness came from the little things in life.

“He was laid back and took everything in his stride,” she said. “Having Sunday lunch and spending time with his family and grandchildren was his favourite thing to do - he had such a good sense of humour too.”

David died of vascular dementia last week after spending nine months in hospital, and made a lasting impression on the staff who cared for him.

Tanya said: “They all loved him and were so good with him, but now he is back together with Daphne.”

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