Staff members of a Maidstone recruitment agency who befriended a “lovely but lonely” man before his tragic death were paid a surprise visit by the town’s MP and the country’s minister for loneliness.

Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone and the Weald, and Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and Aylesford, both dropped into Extra Staff, in Pudding Lane, on Friday to thank the group for befriending Royceston Sargeant. They were devastated after he died when he was hit by a train in March.

Mr Sargeant, 51, had signed up with the agency to find a job and became a hugely popular figure with staff who went on to treat him to meals out and planned days out for the months ahead.

Sammy White, Molly Woolger and Sefika Sakalli were handed a box of chocolates by Mrs Grant. The MPs are keen to team up and find a way to tackle the issue of loneliness in Maidstone and Kent.

Mrs Grant said: "I was very pleased to be able to pay a visit to the amazing team at Extra Staff to thank them for the truly amazing work that they undertook to provide friendship to Royceston. The ladies are the very best of us; going above and beyond their duty to look after the most vulnerable in our community.

"Royceston’s death is so very sad, but I will be working with the team at Extra Staff to ensure that we can secure a legacy for Royceston by doing more to provide support for lonely people across our town."