A well-known solicitor who was passionate about helping other people has died at the age of 72.

Nick Roberts specialised in personal injury cases and visited clients in hospital to ensure that they were properly and swiftly dealt with in the legal system.

He was particularly passionate about supporting sufferers of mesothelioma, a disease caused by working with asbestos which is particularly prevalent in the Towns.

Mr Roberts was committed to ensuring that families of victims who may have worked in Chatham Dockyard, the power stations and heavy engineering plants should get the compensation owed to them.

Mr Roberts was brought up in Rochester and attended King’s School before going on to study law.

After seven years at a busy practice in London he returned to join the family firm, Booth Hearn, Stratton and Roberts in Chatham, along with his older brother David, who worked at the Gillingham branch.

Twice-married Mr Roberts had a son and five daughters. He lived with long-term partner Julie Grainger whom he met 40 years ago through her father, who was a processor at Medway County Court.

Mrs Grainger said: “We were the best of buddies for years and enjoyed each other’s banter. He had an incredible sense of humour. He used to joke that he could probably buy Scotland with the amount he spent on school fees.”

In his latter years he moved from St Margaret’s Street, Rochester into Mrs Grainger’s home in Lordswood. It was there that he loved to cook, entertain and do his daily crossword.

Property manager Mrs Grainger said: “He was still doing his crossword in hospital right up until three days before he died with me helping him fill in the answers.”

Mr Roberts loved the outdoor life. As a young man he played rugby and was a keen rower. He also enjoyed walking his three dogs.

The Boxley Shoot played an important part in his life for about 30 years. He also took on the role of captain until illness forced him to step down.

He was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer in December last year and died on September 23. Mrs Grainger said: “His bravery was awesome right up to the end. He actually drew up a bucket list of things he wanted to do together. One of them was a meal on the green at Bearsted which we did in August.”

Mr Roberts formed lifelong friends both at King’s and the Boxley Shoot and many of them joined the 100-strong congregation at his funeral at Medway Crematorium. His wake was held at the Britannia bar and cafe in Rochester High Street, one of the pubs where Mr Roberts liked to socialise.

Mrs Grainger said: “I don’t think my life will be the same without Nick. I placed his fountain pen and glasses in his right hand, which he would need to do the crossword, and I placed a card to say I will continue doing it for him.”