A “loving and faithful” priest died after suffering a heart attack inside his vicarage aged 67.

The death of Reverend David Adlington on Thursday, who served at St Peter’s Church in Folkestone, has left a community “devastated.”

The Bishop of Dover, The Right Reverend Trevor Willmott, said in a letter to the Diocese that Father David: “Was a fine human being and a fine priest who served the communities entrusted to his care with love and faithfulness.

“His gentle spirit reflected his deep Faith into the transformative love of God revealed to us in Jesus Christ.

“We rejoice today in that love which is stronger than death. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”

Mr Adlington studied at Kings College London and St. Augustine’s College in Canterbury and was ordained as Deacon in 1973.

He served his curacy at St. Paul’s in Clapham between 1974-1977 and St. Matthew’s in Bethnal Green (1977-1980). He was ordained as priest in 1975.

He served as Priest at St. Peter’s in Stepney and became the succentor, responsible for liturgy and music, at Southwark Cathedral from 1984-1987.

The grandfather in 1988 moved to Wales where he became succentor at Llandaff Cathedral and then Priest of several Parishes between 1988 and 2000

Meanwhile he became the diocesan director of education from 1991-2000.

Father David moved to the Canterbury Diocese in 2000 becoming Priest in Charge of St. Mary and St. Eanswythe in Folkestone from 2000-2002 and then at St. Mary’s in Elham until 2013.

Returning to Folkestone in 2013 as the vicar of St. Mary, St. Eanswythe and St. Saviour and vicar of St. Peter’s in Folkestone, he became the first incumbent to hold the two benefices jointly.

Dr David Wilson, churchwarden of St Peter’s Church, said:“He was deeply loved by his parishioners and especially by the children of St. Peter’s School, St. Mary’s Primary Academy and St. Eanswythe’s School.

“We are all devastated.”

Mr Adlington was also made an honourable minor canon at Canterbury Cathedral in 2001 and had been serving as Area Dean of the Elham Deanery since 2014.

He was widely recognised across Folkestone from events such as Town Sunday and The Blessing of the Fisheries.

Father David leaves wife, Kim, children and grandchildren.