A FAMILY is mourning a "loving uncle" who died in a road crash on the A28 at Chartham, near Canterbury. Paul Wickenden, 35, was killed when the car in which he was he was a passenger was in collision with a Toyota.

Mr Wickenden, of Seymour Place, Wincheap, Canterbury, who was also known by the nickname Weasel, was divorced and had no children of his own. But his sister, Angela Simpson, said he was a loving and perfect uncle to her three children.

She added: "The oldest boy is distraught. They thought the world of him." Mr Wickenden worked as a barman at the Flying Horse pub in Canterbury which was also his local but had more recently been labouring. He was a former pupil of the old Frank Hooker School.

One of his best friends, Jeremy Crick, added: "He was just a very sociable bloke who had the knack of making you feel better whenever you were with him."

Mr Wickenden was on his way to Ashford in a friend's Vauxhall Astra at about 10pm on Monday when the accident happened. Both his 21-year-old friend and an elderly couple in the Toyota were treated in hospital but did not suffer serious injuries.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident. Anyone with information should call Canterbury police on 01227 762055.