A motorist has been charged with causing the death of an 88-year-old woman after a collision in Northfleet.

Pedestrian Sifa Rifat died after the accident involving a blue Audi A6 outside her home in sheltered housing block Cleveland House in London Road on Monday, May 30, shortly before 11.50am.

Damian Demczuk, 27, of Quarry Hill in Grays, Essex, who was arrested following the incident after an investigation by Kent Police's serious collision investigation unit, has now been bailed to appear before Medway Magistrates' Court on November 8 accused of causing her death.

He has been charged with one count of causing death while driving without due care and attention and while unfit through drugs, and one count of causing death by driving while uninsured.

An inquest into the death of the retired seamstress was opened in June, although a date for the full inquest has not yet been set.

People paid their respects with flowers and notes at the scene in the aftermath of her death and one of Mrs Rifat's loved ones launched a petition in August calling for better safety measures in the road where she died.

Pakize Guvenc, 41, who looked after Mrs Rifat for 16 years, had more than 200 people back her call for a reduced speed limit and pedestrian controlled traffic lights.

She said of Mrs Rifat: “She had a great spirit, and was always smiling. You couldn’t refuse her anything, she had this magnetic personality.

“Most of all she loved her freedom."