A former radio journalist and producer who went on to become a leading light in the campaign for an international airport in the Thames estuary has died.

Clive Lawrence, who lived in Medway and worked for many years for the BBC at Radio Kent, lost his lengthy battle with cancer on Saturday afternoon, aged 69.

As well as his successful broadcasting career, Mr Lawrence was also a significant member of Medway Rotary Club and was heavily involved in the creation of the Medway Sunlight Rotary Club.

Mr Lawrence, a father of three, of South Avenue, Rainham, also had the role of media representative for the Rotary Club and each year helped organise the popular Santa Fun Run in Rochester for good causes.

More recently he had become better known for his outspoken views on the heated airport debate in Medway. He was campaign director for the business lobby group Demand for Regeneration in Kent (DRINK), which backed Boris Johnson's plans for an international hub in the Thames Estuary.

Mr Lawrence was born in Devon and raised in Central Africa before returning to the UK where he embarked on his successful journalistic career, which included a stint as news editor at BBC Radio Sheffield.

Geoff Waters, fellow Rotarian, said Mr Lawrence had remained positive throughout his treatment for cancer.

He added: “He has been a significant member of our Rotary club for many years and was the father in the creation of the Medway Sunlight Rotary Club which started about five years ago.

“He travelled to Birmingham on Thursday for tests to be involved with some experimental medication and speaking to Marie, his wife yesterday, there were plans in place to travel up and begin the treatment this Monday. He will be sadly missed.”

Dai Liyanage, former Mayor of Medway and a close friend, said: "He was a genuine guy who wanted to do so much for he community. That's why we set up DRINK. He wanted to see the area regenerated and he was passionate about it.

"He wanted to do something about it and stuck to his principles and that's why he was pro airport as it would regenerate the area. He was a personal friend too I and I will miss him very much. Our wives are both nurses and they are also friends.

"I have been to lots of places with him and my only regret is I never got to show him Sir Lanka, where I am from."

Mr Lawrence, who had recently become a grandfather, had also been a governor at Deanwood Primary School in Gillingham since 2001