A fox, who was rescued by an animal charity five years ago after being hit by a car, has died.

Peter was taken in by the Kent Wildlife Rescue Service, based in Sheerness, after suffering a severe head injury and damage to his pelvis in the accident in 2018.

He suffered brain damage which made him tamer than a fox in the wild. He soon became a local celebrity in the area through his appearances at several fundraising events.

Lorraine March who runs the charity confirmed she was with him when he died on Friday.

Peter attended a number of events and was held by hundreds of people over the years. He also visited schools and old people's homes in the local area.

He was used by the charity to help inform people about foxes, and how they live and breed, breaking stereotypical myths about them being dangerous.

He was also used to helped promote road safety and to encourage people to drive carefully around country lanes.

Sarah Stephen met Peter on several occasions in her previous role as Mayoress.

Mrs Stephen said: "He was just such a lovely-natured fox. Once he fully recovered he started going out with the charity to fundraising events so that people could come and give him a stroke, hold him, and walk him as he could be walked on a lead.

"It was just so good for people of all ages especially those with children. Once I got to know Peter I got really involved with the rescue and I would make any excuse to go and hold him for two or three hours at at event, it was great.

"They used to get a chair for me, put him on my lap and I would look after him for them."

At one charity event in Sittingbourne, an elderly lady held him for ages and when he was taken off her lap she "cried her eyes out" because she didn't want to let him go.

In 2021, Sarah and her husband Paul, who was Mayor at the time, gave Peter a sash, a Civic Card and the title of Fox Ambassador for Swale.

She said: "It was such a lovely thing, and that really raised people's awareness of foxes and the charity through meeting him and seeing how important he was.

"He was also good for mental health –I suffered a bereavement of a 19-year-old cat and Peter just knew.

"About two or three weeks after I lost my cat, I was doing an event in Borden and Peter just got on my lap and he literally hugged me, he just wrapped his paws around me.

"He was very perceptive, he might have had brain damage but he was just great."

Peter would walk around the rescue and look after the other animals, and Sarah said that he would even "go round and tell them off".

She said: "The last time I saw him they'd just rescued a puppy and the puppy was just lying on top of him in his bed.

"I saw him with swans, and when they had a load of baby foxes there he used to be out there telling them off, and keeping an eye on them.

"I don't think anyone is ever going to replace him, Peter was just one of those souls that has affected so many in Swale.

"He just affected my life so much, he's going to be so so missed. He was unique, he's made a huge mark on Swale, he really has."

Peter collapsed on Friday morning and died peacefully with Lorraine with him. They believe he was around six-years-old.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Lorraine wrote: "This is one of the hardest posts I have had to put on and I really don’t know how to say it.

"His Excellency Peter. The Ambassador for Foxes in Swale passed away peacefully at 5.20pm on Friday, February 10, I was with him when he gently crossed the bridge.

"I would like to say on behalf of the whole team that all your heartfelt messages have been so emotional but also so helpful knowing just how much everyone loved Peter.

"Peter has been an inspiration, a champion and educator to all people from the youngest to the oldest on how precious our British fauna and flora, cooperation of living alongside our animals and habitats helps everyone.

"Thank you Peter you will always be in our hearts."