A 'lovely but lonely' man who died when he was hit by a train was looked after by Maidstone recruitment agency staff who treated him as a friend, taking him out on trips and meals.

Royceston Sargeant was killed at East Malling station last month.

The 51-year-old had signed up with Pudding Lane firm Extra Staff and was a regular visitor and caller.

While he struggled to find work his unique character saw a friendship blossom with employees who began including him in their own plans, outside of work.

A Thorpe Park day out and even this year's Christmas party were being organised.

When staff took him out for a recent meal and pretended it was his birthday in front of the restaurant, he told them he'd had: 'the time of his life.'

In a joint tribute Extra Staff’s team described Mr Sargeant as 'lovely, but lonely' adding: “His is a name we will never forget, ‘have you got anything for me yet’ was always his conversation starter.

“Though we struggled to find Royceston suitable work, we couldn’t help but become drawn to his loveable character.

“He had a creative imagination, which would sometimes run away with him, but it kept us entertained."

Mr Sargeant loved his Playstation and the office would also appraise ideas he had for new games.

They added: “As our friendship with Royceston developed, we soon included him in our own friendships outside of work, such as taking him out for dinner, which he described as: ‘the time of his life.'

“This was of course helped by pretending it was his birthday, the free cake and the whole restaurant singing Happy Birthday to him for his ‘52nd’ birthday.

“He found it highly amusing everyone believed this and really didn’t want to go home in his inherited ‘new best leather jacket’ which we had gifted to him the week before.

“We had a lot planned to do with Royceston this year, which included taking him to Thorpe Park, which he was ecstatic about, a classic car show which he couldn’t wait for and including him in our office Christmas meal, which he had already planned his meal for.

“We truly miss Royceston and he will always hold a special place in all our hearts.”

During an inquest opening held at Archbishops Palace, a coroner heard he had suffered fatal injuries, in the early hours of Saturday, March 17.

The full inquest was adjourned until June 4.