Mourners bearing fishing rods and and referee flags will form a guard of honour to honour popular angler and football referee Graham East.

The funeral service to honour the former chairman of the North Kent Sunday League and owner of Dolphin Angling in Gravesend will be held at St George's Church in Gravesend, on Wednesday May 15.

It will be followed by a private cremation, and then a wake at Gravesend Rugby Club.

There will be family flowers only but donations can be made on the day to be split between three charities - RNLI, Leukaemia Research and The British Heart Foundation.

Graham himself was a dedicated community man who supported various charities and was known for his work helping young people, running fishing groups, organising fishing competitions, refereeing football matches and running football leagues.

His death last month prompted an outpouring of tributes from friends, family and many others who knew him from his community work.

Having refereed from the 1977/1978 season until 1991/1992 season, Graham went to become Referee's Secretary and received 40 years service award from Kent Referees Association in 2017.

He also became chairman of North Kent Sunday Football League in 2004 and remained in post until his death.

Speaking after Graham's death, friend and fellow angler Keith Slater said his passing would leave a massive hole in the lives of people he knew and the organisations he was part of.

"It's going to be such a loss," he said. "People who are not involved in football and fishing might not know, but the response to what he's done has been phenomenal.

"He was a good mate and fellow angler. He will be missed by lots of people - he was very well known."

Graham is survived by his wife Pauline, and three daughters Clair, Nicola and Katie.

Mourners are asked to bring their fishing rods or referee flags to the Church if they wish to participate in the guard of honour.