The family of a man who collapsed and died at a checkout in Morrisons say they were lucky to have him in their lives.

Thomas Bicker – known to most people as Mick – has been described as a true gentleman who was utterly devoted to his wife of 68 years and their family.

Faversham born and bred, the 89-year-old fell ill in the supermarket in North Lane on Thursday afternoon, and desperate attempts to resuscitate him proved unsuccessful.

He leaves his widow, Gwen, 86, with whom he shared a home in Sheldwich, their two daughters Pam, 60, and Anne, 63, their four grandchildren, David, Richard, Joanna and Robin, and their nine great-grandchildren.

Mr Bicker’s trips to Morrisons had become a weekly event on a Thursday with his close friend Peter French. The pair were well known to staff, who sent a bouquet to the family this week.

They had been forced to shut the store and turn cars away after Mr Bicker collapsed shortly before midday.

Daughter Pam said: “We were calling up the hospitals when it happened but we couldn’t find him.

“Then we rang the supermarket and they said he was still there.

“I knew then that it had either been a small fall and he was sitting there having a cup of tea…or it was this.

“It’s so hard. He went for his groceries and never came back.”

Thomas was one of six boys and grew up in various homes across the town, in Tanners Street, Abbey Street and in Tinbridge Cottages.

He attended the Faversham District School before going on to work at Homestall Farm, where he met Gwen.

They married in 1947 at St Mary’s Church and were thought to be the oldest couple in Sheldwich.

Thomas had a number of other jobs during his life, at Gosmere Farm, Sittingbourne Paper Mill and with the council in the roads department.

He enjoyed horse racing on the TV and singing along to Songs of Praise, but his biggest passion was his garden, where he spent many contented hours.

As a young man, he played for Faversham Town FC and Sheldwich cricket club, described by many as the Ian Botham of his day.

Pam added: “He was a true gentleman who never had a bad bone in his body and never spoke ill of anybody. He was known for his smile with a lop-sided grin.

“He was a true gentleman who never had a bad bone in his body" - Mr Bicker's daughter Pam

“He was kind and quiet and didn’t say a lot, but he loved being around his family, sitting there and taking it all in and enjoying the moment. That’s when he was at his happiest.

“He was handsome and my mum said she was lucky to come across a man like him. He was devoted to her. We were all lucky to have him.

“Me and my sister had a wonderful childhood and I have so many good memories with my dad. I was a daddy’s girl and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Pam and the family would like to thank the staff at Morrisons, the police and paramedics for their efforts on Thursday.

Funeral details have not yet been confirmed.