by Nicola Jordan and Chris Hunter

The family of a popular optician have paid tribute to him after he died of a heart attack while cycling.

Tim Bowden was taken ill while riding through Brompton during the morning rush-hour.

Emergency crews were called to Wood Street to reports of a man lying in the road.

The 65-year-old, who ran Bowden and Lowe Opticians in Gillingham with his wife Lis, died at the scene.

The award-winning contact lens specialist had been training for Sunday's 100-mile London Prudential Bike Ride.

He was due to be raising money for Vision Aid Overseas.

Speaking at the family home in Shorne, Mrs Bowden said: “He had a vast number of friends.

"We’ve had cards galore because there was such a vast number of people he knew.

“He had awfully bad jokes. About twice a year he would manage a good one. He was known as a jokester and a nice chap.

“It happened on Tuesday the 25th – that’s another thing he would have said: ‘Oh, it’s only five months until Christmas’.

“We were gobsmacked. He was just so full of life. He was always juggling different projects.

“People were walking by the practice and looking in saying – is it true?

“It’s left a void, what else can you say?”

His son, Ben, said: “All the tributes said he was a true gentleman and enthusiastic about life.

“His sense of humour was that of an eight-to-nine year old boy.

"His grandchildren learned to roll their eyes when he talked.

"He was a brilliant grandfather, because it allowed him to be the silliest thing on two legs.

"He was a force of nature...he made a positive impact on everyone he met" - Lis Bowden

“I remember him coming straight in the door from work and straight away start to knock up a strange bit of junk modelling with [grandson] Ethan.

"He was out there for hours bashing away.

“He was more than keen with most things he did. Keen is an understatement, but, yes, he was a keen cyclist.

“Cycling was one thing but he then did about four of five charity rides.

“He was a force of nature. He made a positive impact on everyone he met.

"I remember one time I was playing in Leicester with my new band. He drove all the way up to see us and drove back the following morning – it was above and beyond.

“You could just send a text saying ‘good luck tonight’.

“Nothing seemed too much – it was always like ‘if it can be done let’s do it. And if it can’t be done let’s find a way’.”

As well as Lis and Ben, Mr Bowden leaves son Chris and grandchildren Ethan, nine, Samuel, six, Ewan, two, and Martha nine months.