A plane has been spotted circling a town centre in memory of a late father and prominent member of the Sikh community.

Just after midday, an aircraft displaying a touching banner was seen flying over Gravesend.

It has now emerged the touching tribute was to honour Makhan Singh Johal, who recently died, as his funeral was held at the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Khalsa Avenue.

Mr Johal who arrived in Gravesend from India in 1975, died last week after a long battle with cancer.

Gurvinder Sandher, chief executive of The Kent Equality Cohesion Council, said: "Today was Makhan's funeral, in other circumstances around 1,000 people would have came to pay their respects but due to social distancing Makhan's family wanted to offer another way for people to pay their respects."

The banner read: "RIP DAD, 1955-2020, Chardi Kala, miss you. MSJ."

Chardi Kala is a Punjabi phrase which encourages Sikhs to maintain a mental state of optimism and joy. It is often said and intended to demonstrate the belief of being content with the will of God even during harder times or in adversity.

It roughly translates as having a "positive attitude" or "ascending energy".

It is believed that the plane flew to Gravesend from Blackpool, about a 270-mile trip.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend