MUSICIANS throughout Kent are mourning the sudden death of Pete ‘Poppit’ Gunthorpe at the age of 56.

Mr Gunthorpe, a respected figure on the county music scene, died in his sleep after a short illness. He leaves his partner Annie, son Robert, niece Sara and nephew Stuart.

In latter years Mr Gunthorpe played with his band, Wildwood, at pubs and clubs across Kent.

Many tributes have been paid to him on the band’s website and at jam nights including those at The Lower Bell, Blue Bell Hill, The Three Mariners, Lower Rainham, and The Fleur de Lys at Burham, near Rochester.

Among the website tributes was one from Liz and Les Miserables, known as The Blues Mothers, who wrote: "Peter was a man of immense integrity and talent. We will always remember how he welcomed us to the Medway music scene, with his warmth, humour and generosity.

"We extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends and have no doubt that March 16 will become Poppit Day."

Another tribute from Gordon Bryan said: "From the first time I met Poppit to when I saw him last a couple of weeks ago, he was always laughing, loving his music and being welcoming and encouraging to anyone, especially those who were clearly several rungs further down the ladder talent-wise."

In addition to his love of music, Poppit, who lived at Grange Road, Gillingham, also had a keen interest in military history and always felt privileged to have been able to combine this interest with work in his day-job at the Royal Engineers Museum in nearby Brompton.

The funeral will be at 10am on Wednesday (March 29) at Medway Crematorium, Robin Hood Lane, Blue Bell Hill, followed by a wake at the Three Mariners pub in Lower Rainham Road, Lower Rainham.

All flowers and inquiries to: Thomas Fowle & Son, 68 Balmoral Road, Gillingham, ME7 4QE.

Charity donations, rather than funeral flowers, can be sent to The Royal British Legion (www.britishlegion.org.uk) or the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (www.rnli.org.uk)