Friends have paid tribute to a Port of Dover worker who died on Monday after a road accident outside the docks.

Pierre Foulkes, 58, of Church Lane, Deal, was riding his bicycle when he was involved in a collision with a lorry leaving the Eastern Docks.

He was taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford but died from his injuries a short time later.

Graham Stiles, from the King’s Head pub, Beach Street, Deal, paid tribute to his “very personal friend”.

He said: “Everyone enjoyed his company and Pierre was certainly a one-off. He will be greatly missed.”

Mr Foulkes worked at Dover Harbour Board and was a keen rambler, cyclist and skier. He regularly cycled to and from work.

His French mother lives in Boulogne and his sister Margery has an antiques shop in Deal High Street.

The lorry involved in the collision was foreign-registered. The driver has not been arrested.

An inquest into the death of Mr Foulkes is due to be opened before the weekend.

Kent Police would like to speak to anyone who saw the incident at Dover’s eastern docks at 6.30pm on Monday.

They would also like to speak to anyone with any related information. Ring 01622 798538.