A revered merchant banker who died after a crash with a suspected drug driver was the longest-serving member of an exclusive golf club.

George Pinto, who lived in Bramling, near Canterbury, was involved in a fatal accident on the Sandwich Road in Woodnesborough, near Sandwich.

The 89-year-old was driving a Skodia Fabia which was in collision with a white Mercedes A180 at the junction with Chalkpit Lane.

He was taken to King’s College Hospital but died the following day from his injuries.

Mr Pinto had a long career in corporate finance with the merchant bank Kleinwort Benson.

Eton-educated and a bachelor, his passion outside work was golf, which he played to a very high standard - playing off a two handicap at his peak.

He joined Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich in 1947 and was known for playing alone with two balls, becoming something of a legend at the club for his fastidious manner.

He is once said to have observed: “Some like golf mostly for the companionship - I don’t.”

The club’s secretary, Tim Checkett's said: “We were very sad to hear of his death.

“He was our longest-serving member and will be greatly missed.”

Mr Pinto played golf regularly for Eton in the Halford Hewitt tournament for public school old boys, in the Kent Amateur and Open and the English Amateur, and later in seniors tournaments.

He was also a sharp bridge player.

He was dedicated to Zionist causes, which he supported through his private charitable trusts.

He was also a vice president of the Anglo-Israel Association, treasurer of the Israel-Diaspora Trust and co-chair of governors of the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies.

He never married.

An inquest into his death on September 10 will be held at Canterbury Coroners’ Court at 2pm on February 6 next year.

An 18-year-old man from Canterbury was arrested after the crash on suspicion of drug-driving, dangerous driving and driving without insurance.

He remains under investigation while inquiries continue.