Heartfelt tributes are pouring in for a "courageous and loyal" soldier who died in a road crash after a night out in Canterbury.

Capt James Feeney, from Preston in Lancashire, died when he was hit by a van on the coastbound A2 near Barham early on Friday, May 15.

Police are now trying to piece together the 28-year-old’s last few hours after going out in the city with two friends, having taken a taxi there earlier in the evening.

Officers have established he withdrew cash in Upper Bridge Street at around 3.28am.

Inspector Martin Stevens of Kent Police’s serious collision investigation unit said: "We need to establish what happened to him from this time.

"He may have been trying to get to Folkestone where he was staying, and it is likely that he may have used a cab from either Canterbury Lane taxi rank or Upper Bridge Street. It is also possible that someone gave him a lift.”

"He loved his family, friends and girlfriend very much, that was shown in his actions, and we all love him. In fact everyone he met loved him and his infectious personality..." - friend Jack Barron

Emergency crews raced to try and save him after he was hit by a Citroen Relay van at 4.05am as he returned to where he was staying in Folkestone, but he died at the scene.

Capt Feeney served with the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh regiment in Afghanistan, progressing through the ranks after graduating from Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.

Messages in memory of "the one and only Feeney" have been left on social media ahead of his funeral with full military honours in Lancashire this Friday.

Brother Aaron wrote: "My brother James sadly passed away in an accident early hours Friday morning down in Kent. All the kind words are very much appreciated by everyone."

Friend Jack Barron said: "I've shed many a tear, some through sadness, some through happiness as I keep remembering things about him, looking at old photos and remembering that distinctive Feeney laugh.

"We can't mope about forever though, that's definitely not what we would have wanted, but we can make sure that we honour his memory.

“As much as he was always the joker, the ladies man (when he was younger) and one of the most engaging characters you could meet, he was also one of the most intelligent, courageous and loyal, and we were all very proud of what he has achieved professionally and personally.

“He loved his family, friends and girlfriend very much, that was shown in his actions, and we all love him. In fact everyone he met loved him and his infectious personality. He's not just someone I liked, he was someone I genuinely loved and the future doesn't seem quite as fun without him there.”

The road was closed for several hours while SICU investigated.

Insp Stevens added: "At some point we think he was dropped off at a point between Canterbury and the A2 at Barham.

"If you can help, please get in touch. Even the smallest piece of information could really help our investigation."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the witness appeal line on 01622 798538.

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