Tony Hickson and his beloved Great Dane Daisy have for a long time been a familiar sight in the city centre – him riding his mobility scooter with her trotting beside.

But the disabled 89-year-old will now be riding solo after the sad death of his constant companion.

Daisy, whose harlequin colouring made her particularly distinctive, died in Tony’s arms at their home in New Dover Road on Sunday night after suffering a suspected heart attack. She was 10.

Tony said: "I’m devastated. She was such a gentle, loving big giant. Everybody loved her and I will miss her terribly.

"Sadly, Great Danes don’t have a particularly long life expectancy and 10 is about par for the course."

The pair hit the headlines in 2009 when Daisy was stolen while out with Tony in the city centre.

The distraught pensioner launched an appeal to find her through the Kentish Gazette and police studied CCTV which showed her being put into a car, which eventually led them to a house in Sittingbourne four days later.

Stephen Piggot, 61, admitted the theft and was given a 60-day suspended prison sentence, a probation order and told to pay Mr Hickson £250 compensation.

Share your memories of Daisy below.