A FORMER fighter pilot who was a wing commander in the Second World War has died after an accident on a village road.

Dennis Nixon’s friends have paid tribute to the 'sociable' pensioner who they say will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

RAF veteran Mr Nixon, 83, was involved in a collision with a van as he crossed the road outside Alldays in Lunsford Lane, Larkfield, at 4.50pm on Sunday, August 7.

He was taken to Maidstone Hospital where he died in the early hours of Monday, August 8.

The decorated war hero, who lived for many years in Lunsford Park, fought with 145 Squadron until 1941 and joined the Royal Australian Air Force at 24, flying Hurricanes, Typhoons and Mosquitos.

Mr Nixon was married with two children.

A close friend, who does not want to be named, said he had some incredible stories.

"In Western Europe he came down in a field. A girl and her brother hid him in a farmhouse and he could see all the Germans outside.

"The next day all the British troops came through.

"I never knew what awards he got. I know when you shoot down a German aircraft you don’t not get the DFC."

Mr Nixon, a keen bowler, known as 'Nick' to friends, was a well-known member of Ditton’s indoor and outdoor bowls clubs.

Graham Hawes said he was a valued member of the club.

"Nick was a very outgoing character and he used to organise things rather well," he said.

"He was treasurer and he used to write marvellous things. Everyone liked him.

"It was a great shock. I heard the news with some surprise because he always seemed to be a person who was with it so to die in that sort of fashion - he had his problems like all of us but to go that way seemes a bit strange and sad."

Kent Police’s Special Crash Investigation Unit is investigating the incident, but a spokeswoman said it was currently being treated as a tragic accident.