One of the leading enthusiasts who helped keep the Medway Queen afloat for nearly 50 years, has died.

John Chambers, a founder member of the vessel’s preservation society, passed away with his close-knit family by his side.

The 83-year-old and his wife Noreen played a key role in saving the ship from the scrapyard and securing lottery funding to restore it to its former glory.

The paddle steamer – hailed as the Heroine in Dunkirk for her part in rescuing thousands of allied troops in 1940 – had fallen into stormy waters.

It was in the 1960s the couple, more out of curiosity, went along to see the vessel which once did pleasure trips along the Kent coast and to Southend.

Noreen, 75, said: “She was in a terrible state, rusty and weeds growing out of her.

“She was moored on a pontoon at Chatham Dockyard.

“Yet like an old lady, she had certain dignity about her.”

The Chambers went along to a public meeting to save her and the society was formed with about 35 members.

They bought the ship for a nominal sum of £1 and then went to the bank for a loan to pay off some of the creditors.

She added: “We got a funny look when we said we wanted £15,000 for a sinking ship.”

The next move was to get her towed to a safe berth at Damhead Creek, Hoo, which the port authority only granted if they ensured she remained afloat.

By this time, the couple had moved to the Hoo Peninsula so it became largely their responsibility to go out in all weathers and times to stop her sinking.

Noreen said: “I am sure people thought we were a bit strange going out in the middle of the night with our torches, depending on the tides.”

The Medway Queen was initially Noreen's "hobby".

She said: “John shied away at first but as soon as I got him nobbled he became hooked and it became huge part of our lives and of our children.”

The vessel is still being restored at Gillingham Pier.

BLOB His funeral is at 11am on Friday June 30 at the new Gravesham Crematorium at Chalk. Donations to the Medway Queen Preservation Society via Terry Allen funeral directors, 01634 564220.