A man has paid tribute to his father who died after collapsing on Sheerness seafront.

Patrick Donegan was making one of his favourite walks along the promenade from his home in Lynmouth Drive, Minster, to Tesco.

The 86-year-old - who would have passed a memorial bench for his wife Ellen, who died 12 years ago - collapsed near the Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club.

Emergency services were called on Thursday morning and medics spent more than an hour trying to keep Mr Donegan alive.

The cause of death is not yet known and a post-mortem examination will be carried out over the next few days.

Mr Donegan's son Michael said he had shown no signs of being unwell.

He said: "It has come as a complete and utter shock to us because he was so well and so fit for his age and when I was ringing around no one could believe it.

"He would go to Sheerness East Working Men's Club dancing a couple of times a week, especially on Sundays, and loved dancing to Glenn Miller and big bands like that.

"He was also a member of the Royal British Legion and was well known at Minster Working Men's Club."

The 60-year-old, of Upchurch, said his father was a very dapper dresser with a wardrobe full of bespoke suits and would never leave the house "looking scruffy".

Grandson Keith, 32 said he was a "devoted husband", an "absolutely fantastic dad and grandad" and a "pillar of the community".

Patrick Donegan was born in Camberwell, London, and worked in Fleet Street for many years as a newspaper distributor.

Mr Donegan retired 25 years ago at the Daily Mail.

He was called up to the Army just after the Second World War, serving in Palestine from 1946 to 1947.

Mr Donegan also leaves grandchildren Michelle, 34, and Amy, 22, and three great-grandchildren, Luke, 11, Owen, nine, and 18-month-old Neeve.