A WIFE has paid a moving tribute to her estate agent husband who was found dead in his car following concerns for his business.

Richard Fulks, 36, was widely known and liked as the proprietor of Herne Bay Estate Agents in the town's High Street.

He ran the business with wife Debbie, who has spoken about her hard-working husband's devotion to his family.

The couple lived with sons Steven, 17, Sam, 14, and Brendan, four, in Beacon Road.

Mr Fulks was found dead in his car at East Blean Woods near Hoath.

His wife said he had been worried about their business following the slump in the property market. Business had slowed down noticeably since October.

She had felt sure the situation would improve and had tried to reassure him.

Mrs Fulks, 40, had found a text message from her husband at about 5.30am on the day of his death. It had been sent at about 12.45am and said simply "Goodnight and goodbye".

She described her husband as her "knight in shining armour" and said she had been "totally shocked" by his death.

"Richard was totally focussed on his family, his home and his business, he was everything to us. He was a very good father and a wonderful family man," she said.

"He was very loyal, a real gentleman. He loved his business and in his work he was always considerate, efficient and kind. We had started the business to provide a really good service for the people of Herne Bay. Richard always treated people the way he wanted to be treated.

"He was a private and proud man. Business had slowed, the problems weren't that bad but I think he did feel he may have let us down."

Mrs Fulks said she and her husband had been best friends for 17 years. Mr Fulks, originally from Tring in Hertfordshire, had moved to Herne Bay 10 years ago to be with her. They had married and started the business in 2000.

She added: "He would have been so shocked by the amount of goodwill towards him and the upset people have felt at his death. Our customers have been totally devastated."

Mr Fulks enjoyed playing badminton and watching football. He was not a great pub goer but used to enjoy the atmosphere watching a good match at Rodney's Sports Bar in North Street.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned.

Mr Fulks' funeral will take place at Barham Crematorium on Tuesday (February 8) at 1pm.