Floral tributes have been laid in memory of an elderly woman who died after being struck by a van in Tovil, near Maidstone.

The crash happened just before 4pm on Saturday near Tesco in Farleigh Hill.

A police spokesman said the victim - a local woman in her 80s - was walking with two other elderly women on the side of the road, though not on the pavement, when she was struck by a white Ford Transit van.

People living near the incident say they had heard the woman had tripped and fallen into the road.

"From what I gather, she fell," said one man. "I don't know whether she had fallen and was lying in the road and he didn't see her, or if she fell into his path."

The man said he saw police measuring skid marks on the road after the accident. He believed the woman did not live near the site.

Another resident said: "My husband was here when it happened and spoke to the police. I think she tripped. I don't think it was his (the driver's) fault."

And she added: "It's a dangerous bit of road there."

Today floral tributes were being laid by the side of the road. One woman visiting the site said the dead woman was called Brenda and been suffering from dementia.

A note left with flowers near to the scene said: "To the man that was the driver of the car that killed the woman. It could have been me or anybody else. Jesus forgives so please forgive yourself. Love from the woman that comforted you and gave you the fag. x x x"

The woman's family has been informed, but no further details are being released yet.

The road was closed while emergency services dealt with the incident. It reopened at around 7.30pm on Saturday.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Kent Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538.