An inquest has opened into the death of a much-loved musician who died after a fire broke out in a Gillingham flat.

Drummer Alun Jones, 47, died last Friday after being rescued from a block of flats in James Street at 3am by firefighters.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service investigation into the cause of the fire said it is believed to have been caused by a naked flame, most likely a candle.

After the news of his death broke, dozens of people paid tribute to the "funny, quirky character" who was said to have made a mark on the lives of many.

Bob Collins, 48, from Gillingham, met Mr Jones while at art college in Rochester.

They later played in the same band, the Dentists, who developed a cult following across Europe and America and together they regularly toured Europe and recorded a Radio 1 session.

Mr Collins said: "Alun's off beam wit and charm never failed to make an impression on the audiences, promoters and fans that the band met along the way.

"He was one of the funniest people you would ever meet and he just had the most amazing offbeat way of looking at things.

"He was a quirky character and very likeable. People were instantly drawn to him."

An inquest into Mr Jones' death was opening yesterday when the cause of death was being given as inhalation of fire fumes.

More tributes in the Medway Messenger tomorrow.