Tributes have poured in after the passing of a 'great friend and a great local historian'.

News of the death of historian and regular churchgoer Tony Larkin was announced at a Gravesham council meeting yesterday.

The popular figure, who lived in Constitution Hill, Gravesend, used to work for the Water Board, before spending his time searching through the archives in Gravesend Library or helping out at St John The Evangelist Roman Catholic Church.

Cllr Mick Wenban, who was a close friend of Mr Larkin, last saw him shortly after Christmas when he dropped him home.

Cllr Wenban said: “I seem to have known Tony all my life. He is such a close friend and a nice man.

“It will be a big gap in the fabric of Gravesham. What he didn’t know about the town wasn’t worth knowing.

“He was an aficionado on General Gordon. He has done so much for the town, so important.

“When you passed him, he always asked about the children or grandchildren. He would always end a conversation with 'God bless'.

“Tony didn’t complain about anything I would have been concerned about so his death came as a complete shock.”

Historian and close friend Christoph Bull often went to Mr Larkin for advice and helped him get a plaque of 18 and 19 century historian Robert Pocock, placed on Wilmington village hall.

He said: “He was such an enormous, well-known man.

“I have known him for about 40 years. He was a great friend and a great local historian.

“He was a friendly figure who walked around Gravesend and he would always have time to talk to you.

“I miss him terribly.”

He added: “I saw him shortly before Christmas. We had made an appointment; I was going to see him at his house next Thursday.

“I used to take him out to lunch at the Three Daws.

“I feel very emotional about it; he was an important person.

“I used to go to him for advice. We did a lot together.

“Thank God he had no awful illness that he suffered with.”

Gravesham council leader Cllr David Turner said: “Tony has been at 80% of all council meetings and he has supported many council events.

“He was passionate about the history of Gravesham, especially about the contribution from General Gordon.

“He was a great friend to every councillor.

“His passing marks the end of an era because of his significant contribution to the life of the borough.

“You can’t estimate how much he contributed.”

Mayor of Gravesham, Cllr Harold Craske, said: "It is with great sadness that I heard the news of Tony Larkin's sudden death.

"I had know him for many years.

"He was unfailingly kind and gentle and was a great friend to Gravesham and to me personally.

"In many ways he was a friend to all.

"His knowledge of all that went on in the Borough was prodigious.

"If I wanted to know something about the past, he was the person I turned to.

"He could be relied upon and always had time to talk.

"I will miss his wise counsel.

"Gravesham will be a poorer place without him."

Did you know Mr Larkin? You can leave your tributes below.