More than a dozen people came together in Maidstone's Jubilee Square over the weekend in memory of people who have died after living on the streets.

The memorial service was organised on behalf of Making a Difference to Maidstone (MADM) and is the second of its kind having struck a chord with many in the County Town when it was first held last Christmas.

Among those who were remembered were 43-year-old grandad Sammy Draper, who was found hanged in woodland near the Sainsbury's store in Romney Place in July.

His daughter said in the days following his passing that her father didn't get the support he needed for his mental health issues.

This year's service was especially poignant as it also commemorated the death of Carol Pickup, a mum who devoted her life to helping the homeless and was found dead in her garage in May.

The event - which included a reading and musical performance by musician John Pork, who also played the guitar at the 2018 service - was organised by Joan Langrick, who has spent decades trying to help rough sleepers in the town.

She said: "We all joined hands and fervently prayed for all the homeless who had died often alone on a freezing cold pavement, without someone's hand to hold or a single word to comfort them.

"When I see someone who is sleeping on the pavement, my heart goes out to them - no one should ever have to live like this.

"Then I think 'there but for the grace of God go I', because unless I have experienced what they are going through, I have no right to judge anyone who is homeless.

"Suddenly, I felt myself exploding with anger as we are one of the richest countries in the world and yet thousands of homeless are dying on our streets.

"We should all be feeling this righteous anger which cries out, 'this just isn't right'."

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