A successful businessman who followed in his grandfather's footsteps in the retail trade, has died.

Andrew Harwood, whose family ran Harwood's department stores in Chatham and Strood for more than 50 years, had died at the age of 75.

The entrepreneur founded Snood Hair Designers which, in its heyday, had three salons in Chatham, Gillingham and Hempstead Valley.

But to many, he was best known for the amazing charity work he did with the Rotary Club, and, in particular, the Santa Sleigh Run he organised in the Gillingham area for many years to the delight of generations of families.

The former King's School, Rochester pupil founded the Medway branch in 1981 where he became president, and joined Gillingham Rotary in 2014 where he was an active member right up until his death.

He helped to raise thousands of pounds for various charities including the wisdom hospice in Rochester.

After leaving school, Andrew who was living in St Margaret's Street, Rochester, at the time began his retail training at Dunnings in Maidstone and Nasons in Canterbury.

He joined Harwood's, which was set up by his grandfather and known as "TC" in the 1930s, as a director in 1968.

The company which was taken over by his father Ivor, was sold to Perrings in 1978.

Other subsequent jobs he had included manager of Moss Bros in Canterbury between 1987 and 1989 and contracts and facilities manager for Kent County Council Supplies between 1989 and 2008.

A keen sportsman in his younger days, he was chairman of Medway Towns Table Tennis League from 1975-1978.

He played cricket and tennis at league level and enjoyed squash at the former Roffen sports and social club in Rochester.

He was also a member of the Castle Club in Rochester for 30 years taking up the role as president in 2010.

He requested for his ashes to be scattered in the grounds of the club in the Esplanade.

Andrew, a familiar sight in the Towns donning his brightly coloured blazers, married Hilary in 2001.

Hilary has a daughter Polly and two grandchildren, Charlotte, 15, and James, 11, whom he took on as his ready-made family in his latter years.

Hilary said: "I never ceased to be amazed at his zest for life and his love for work within the society of the Medway Towns.

"He always seemed to be known by someone in whatever context he moved.

"This is a tribute to such a genial, generous and gregarious man."

He passed away on Thursday January 26 after suffering heart problems.

His funeral was on Thursday at the Garden of Eden Cemetery, Bobbing where more than 100 people attended to pay their respects .