A devoted grieving husband has penned a heartfelt tribute to his wife of 53 years who was killed in a car crash.

Terry Godwin, chairman of the Rainham Poetry Group, will read the poem at Muriel's funeral on Wednesday.

Mrs Godwin, 78, of Birling Avenue, Rainham, died in an accident in Langley, near Maidstone, on Saturday, September 17.

Mr Godwin, 77, who was driving the car, suffered serious injuries and spent two weeks in hospital.

He has published several books and presents monthly poetry readings on Sunlight Radio. He has decided to dedicate his next book, called The Torch of Love, due to be published later this month, to his wife.

Mr Godwin has written a moving new poem which describes Muriel as a true friend, partner and wonderful wife.

It opens with the line "The joy of my life has passed away".

He said: "Over the 53 years of our married life I have been inspired to write numerous poems about my darling wife. It is with a heavy heart I wrote the poem, which I will read at the ceremony."

Mr and Mrs Godwin had three sons - David, who died at an early age, Mark, who lives in Vietnam, and Stuart, who lives in Yorkshire.

In 2008 they celebrated their golden wedding, when Mr Godwin presented his wife with a bunch of golden roses.

Close friend and treasurer of the poetry group Kath Wayman said Mr Godwin has been left devastated by her death.

She said: "Muriel was his life. They were a devoted couple who were still very much in love."

An inquest into Mrs Godwin's death has been opened and adjourned. The cause of death was given as multiple injuries.

The couple's silver Vauxhall Astra was travelling on the A274 towards Maidstone, when it hit a brick wall and collided with two vehicles.

Mrs Godwin's funeral will be on Wednesday, at 2pm, at the Garden of England crematorium at Bobbing, near Sittingbourne, followed by a reception at the Bobbing Apple, Sheppey Way, at 3.30pm.