A dog dubbed the "legend of Leysdown" has attracted more than 1,000 tributes on social media.

Storm the Staffordshire terrier always proved a hit with walkers on Sheppey when they spotted him on the beach most days with his owner Daniel Ward.

But the pet had to be put down on Sunday (Oct 30)after a tumour developed on one of his front legs.

His ashes are to be scattered at Neptune's cafe on the seafront this Sunday (Nov 6) at 4pm.

Mr Ward said: "I think this is the best place for my boy. It is near where the sausages came from and next to the football pitch by the beach. Any and everyone is welcome."

Friend Ian Diboll, from Beckenham, said: "The staffie was very well known around the area and all over south east Kent. Many from London would visit Sheppey just to get a glimpse of Storm. He became the legend of Leysdown."

Storm, who was a remarkable 17 years old and had been with Mr Ward from a six-week-old pup, lived with him in a campervan.

This week Mr Ward took his dog's ashes onto the beach for one last time in a touching tribute.

He wrote on Facebook: "We had a walk up and down his stretch of beach. I sat him on his favourite rock with one of his special blankets and we watched the sunrise."

Homeless Mr Ward is originally from south London but had set up home in his campervan on Sheppey just before the first Covid-19 lockdown. He said: "I didn’t want to go back to London and stay in my camper so I stayed here."

He ended up posting stunning photos of sunrises and sunsets on social media and also became a self-appointed guardian, patrolling the seafront with Storm on the lookout for illegal fly-tippers and cockle-pickers.

He added: "You guys always said Storm got people through lockdown. But all your lovely comments have helped us massively with our own lockdown, so thank you."

News of Storm's death has attracted more than 1,000 comments and 3,500 likes.

Mr Ward said: "Storm had a great last day. He played with his new tennis ball and a football on the beach. He had so many treats and was still jumping for the ball and trotting about.

"We laid his blanket down and the vet went through everything. Storm had a small jab in the back of his neck just to relax him before the main injection.

"After the treats and football Storm being Storm was snoring his head off in minutes which made me laugh. Five minutes later he had the main injection and he passed on the beach on his blanket in my arms at his favourite place with his ball and the sea rippling at our feet with special friends. And the sun came out for him at the last minute."

Mr Ward added: "Someone said to me a while back that Storm wasn't just my dog any more. But he was my everything."

One commented: "Maybe a plaque could be placed on the wall at Storm's favourite part of the beach? That way the many of us who loved Storm can go and visit."

Another added: "I didn’t meet Storm personally but he sure left a paw-print on my heart. I always loved watching his videos and seeing his great beach football."

Natalie Batchelor said: "Dan is heartbroken but knows what a big impact Storm had on both the residents and tourists of Leysdown. Messages of love are pouring in on Facebook for him."