A sister has shared her heartbreak following the death of her “gentle and caring” brother, who died after collapsing near a town centre Sainsbury’s.

Gary Deverson, 62, suffered a heart attack in Folkestone’s Bouverie West Road in February and despite efforts to resuscitate him by passerby and paramedics, died in William Harvey Hospital.

His sister Christine Sherwood, from Folkestone, has paid tribute to her brother, who “would give anyone anything”.

Speaking about her brother, who had learning difficulties, Mrs Sherwood, 63, says: “He loved life, family get-togethers and celebrations.

“He was sociable and thought everyone was his mate. I think that’s why Christmas was his favourite time of year.

“He was a kind, caring and gentle person. Never greedy, he would give anyone anything, although he had nothing to give.

“He lived a simple life, with just bare necessities.”

The second of four siblings, Mr Deverson was born in Margate but lived in Folkestone most of his life and worked at a pie factory in Barfrestone, Dover in the 1990s.

A fan of banger car racing, where drivers in written-off or dilapidated vehicles cars compete, Mr Deverson often visited Rover Raceway in Coombe Road.

He was a Dover Ferry employee for a short while and briefly joined a travelling fayre, which appealed to his love of bright lights and music.

However work was not always easy for him, Mrs Sherwood says

She adds: “Frustration and getting easily wound up caused many issues in the workplace.

“But, he would always be on hand to help anyone - especially his family. If any heavy labour work was going on he loved to be there with the spade in hand.”

“Gary was a very special person, a very special brother.

“I’d like to say a thank you to anyone who knew him, who gave him the time of day, accepted and respected him for the special person he was.”

Mrs Sherwood also wants to thank those who tried to help Mr Deverson when he collapsed on February 29.

She says: “I believe there were two people who tried to revive him on the street before the paramedics arrived.

“I’d also like to thank the emergency crew for all they did trying to save him, and the staff at William Harvey Hospital who made him as comfortable as possible while he silently slipped away.”