A ONCE well known Folkestone character has died. Stanley King headed a group called The Stanley King Trio who were the resident band at the Leas Cliff Hall for eight years during the Sixties.

The band supported some top names at the hall including Frankie Howerd, Cyril Fletcher and Petula Clark.

Mr King moved to Canada some years ago, but stayed in touch with friends in Folkestone and former fellow band members drummer Stuart Thurlow and tenor sax player Peter Stacey.

The musician died in Toronto from the effects of multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, with which he was diagnosed nearly three years ago.

His wife Elizabeth said: "Thanks to the amazing treatment he received at the Scarborough Grace Hospital and the Princess Margaret Hospital, both here in Toronto, we enjoyed time together that would not have been and Stan was able to do the musical work that he loved so much right up to 10 days ago, at which point he started to feel quite weak."

Former Seabrook resident Richard Taylor has fond memories of the musician. Writing to the Kentish Express from his new home in France, he said: "He was a fine and highly versatile and capable musician being at home in many styles from jazz to the classics from Bach to The Beatles and never quite achieved the recognition that he so richly deserved. I am glad to have met him and to remember him as a friend."