by Chris Hunter

A grieving family have been left traumatised after roadside tributes to a much-loved son and brother were taken and thrown away.

Family and friends of Tony Farmer have been leaving poems, flowers and mementoes at the site of his death in Gravelly Ways in Laddingford, ever since the fatal crash in March 2009.

His sister, Louise Farmer, 21, said they had been in negotiations with a vicar about the removal of the tributes after learning a complaint had been made about them, but were shocked to discover they had been removed without their knowledge last month.

"We were told they were just put in a black sack and thrown in the bin," she said.

"We found out too late to get them back - the bin men came and collected it.

"A lot of friends are saying 'what do we do now? We want to put cards and flowers down but it's just going to get thrown away.'"

She said her brother Scott Matthews, 25, had "taken it hardest" adding: "He always says when he's down there it feels like he's closer to Tony."

Mr Farmer, who lived in Medway Avenue, Yalding, and worked as a farm contractor, died aged 22 when his Renault overturned on a hump-back bridge.

It was later found he had been over the drink drive limit.

Among the mementoes were toy tractors - a reference to Mr Farmer's love of his job as a farm contractor.

He had been well known in the farming community around Yalding and after his death many farmers in the area stopped work for the day, as a mark of respect.

Following his death his family paid tribute to him as a "warm, cheeky" son with a generous spirit who "lived life at a thousand miles an hour."

For many who knew him, losing the tributes felt like losing him for a second time, said his sister, who lives in Stilebridge Lane, near Staplehurst.

"Everyone's just completely lost," she added. "It's like a tidal wave - people are really angry."

She said the family had not reported the incident to the police, as they did not want to be dragged through yet more trauma.