One of the area’s longest-serving athletes has died after a lifetime of dedication to sport.

Former Commonwealth athlete Peter Barber passed away on Thursday, December 20 at the age of 85, after developing pneumonia.

A lifelong member of Gravesend Rugby Club, he hit headlines in 2014 for still taking part in competitive sport at 81.

Born in Northfleet, he started out running for Darnley Athletics Club in Central Avenue, Gravesend, and attended the local technical college.

His first foray into competitive running was in 1951 when, aged 17, he beat 400 other runners to win the Southern Counties Youth cross-country race in Eastbourne.

Seven years later, Mr Barber went on to compete in the Commonwealth Games, when they were held in Cardiff in 1958.

Aged 60, he broke the British Masters Record for the hammer throw, came second in the hammer in an Australian national athletics championship, ran two London Marathons, won a Kent athletics championships medal, represented his country in masters championships across Europe and ran against the legendary Sir Roger Bannister at the White City Stadium in London.

Outside of sport, Mr Barber worked as an engineer and helped raise money for local charities through his role as a Master Mason.

He spent a number of years living in Australia, before settling in Orpington later in life.

Mr Barber was married twice, and is survived by two children from his first marriage.

Close friend Terry Medes, 80, of Singlewell Road, Gravesend, met Mr Barber when he was in his mid-teens.

He said: “Peter was dedicated to sport.

“His life was sport – that’s why he was still competing at the age of 81, which was a big achievement.”

Gravesend Rugby Club president, Michael Cubitt, said: “Peter had a great life, and he was a very, very likeable person.

“There are still 12 or 15 members that have been with the club for 50 years or more, and there are some strong friendships - rugby leads to that.

“That’s what we try to teach the youngsters these days, and if they turn out half as good as Peter was, in their playing, ethos and attitude, I’ll be very proud.”

Mr Barber’s funeral was held at St Giles the Abbot in Church Road, Farnborough on Thursday, January 24 at 12pm.