FAMILY and friends of a "lovable rogue" killed in a car crash have paid tribute to a man they say had lived life to the full.

Daniel Hitchcock, 28, known to his friends as Danny, was killed when the Ford Escort Cabriolet he was driving left the road and hit a telegraph pole. just before midnight on Saturday.

He was well known in Herne Bay and had lived in the town for many years, only leaving recently to live with his mother in Tankerton.

He had been at the Royal Oak pub in Blean on the night he was killed and was driving home alone along the Canterbury to Whitstable road when the accident happened at Pean Hill, near the junction with Fox's Cross Road. No other vehicles were involved.

His mother, Betty Lilley, said: "I have been amazed at the number of cards, flowers and telephone calls I have received. I did not realise just how many friends Daniel had.

"He was a charmer; a lovable rogue. Even though Daniel was only 28 when he died he had lived life to the full. If there was something he wanted to do he did it."

Mr Hitchcock, a former pupil at Herne Bay Junior School and Greenhill Secondary, now Herne Bay High, had recently been working in the building trade.

Football was his greatest love. A huge Manchester United fan, Mr Hitchcock had played for many of the pub teams in Herne Bay.

His wide circle of friends are still reeling from his death. His best friend Marc Yeatman of Sea Street, Herne Bay, said: "He was the life and soul of every party. He was very lively and energetic but very loving too."

Two of the last people to see Mr Hitchcock alive were landlord and landlady of the Royal Oak, Keith and Val Rogers.

The couple, who also run the Queen Victoria in Herne Bay where the 28-year-old was a regular and where his wake will be held, paid tribute to him.

"We are absolutely devastated, as are a lot of people. Danny was a genuine lad who was liked by everyone," said Mr Rogers.

Mr Hitchcock, who has an older brother, Edward, had lived with his long-term girlfriend, hairdresser Maxine Broomfield, in a flat in Herne Bay but moved back in with his mother shortly after Christmas.

Police have revealed that he was serving a driving ban, having been disqualified last year. The ban followed his conviction for drink-driving in Herne Bay in January last year.

His funeral is at Barham Crematorium at 1pm on Wednesday. Mrs Lilley asked that any donations in his memory be made to the Pilgrim's Hospice at Canterbury, which cared for his grandfather, Arthur Feakins, before he died.

Police are appealing for witnesses to Saturday night's crash, which is being investigated by the serious crash investigation unit. If you can help, phone the unit on 01622 600970.

Mrs Lilley said: "I wish I knew what happened but at the end of the day it won't make any difference. It is not going to bring Daniel back."