Maidstone town centre came to a standstill this afternoon, as the funeral procession for a well known homeless man passed along the street where he used to sleep rough.

Special permission was granted for a hearse and limousine to drive along the pedestrian zone in Week Street as family and friends say their goodbyes to 47-year-old David Long, who died at King’s College Hospital in London last month.

The cortege paused at the doorway between Tiger and Halifax bank, where Mr Long could often be seen and where a makeshift memorial has been erected.

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Mourners were crying as they lit candles in Mr Long's memory, while shoppers also bowed their heads in respect for several minutes.

Flowers, cards and candles began to proliferate at the spot after news he had died on Friday, September 16.

Mr Long was a well-known former client of homeless charity Maidstone Day Centre, based in Knightrider Street.

The procession then continued on for a private ceremony.

Funeral conductor Ashley Sutton, from Angels Independent Family Funeral Services in Coxheath, said: “It is the first time we have asked to do something like this, and were pleased the council agreed to open the gates for us to pass along the street.

“We offered to do it because it was recognised that this shrine had appeared with people laying flowers, and we thought it would be an opportunity for his friends and those who knew him to pay their respects.

“It is the family’s request and we always go out of our way to make the day as personal as we can.”