A D-Day veteran who was awarded the French Legion d'Honneur in 2015 has passed away.

William Adams, who was known as Bill, died aged 97 at Maidstone hospital on Christmas Day.

Bill was on the Royal Navy sloop Pelican that escorted American troops to Omaha beach on June 6, 1944.

The oldest boy of twelve children, he was born in Upper Halling.

He lived most of his life in Maidstone after he married his wife Peggy in 1952.

His funeral will take place on January 30 at 11.45am at the Maidstone Crematorium.