A vehicle was left abandoned after hitting and fatally wounding a beloved village man, an inquest has heard.

David Prentice died after being struck by a yellow Renault Scenic in Wormshill, near Sittingbourne.

The 71-year-old had been cycling near his home in The Street when the collision occurred.

An inquest into his death heard he suffered blunt force trauma injuries to his head, torso and right leg.

Police were called to the small village following the incident at around 5pm on October 18.

Two men from Sittingbourne, aged 35 and 55, were later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

They have been released on bail until Thursday, November 17.

The inquest was opened on Friday and suspended pending the criminal investigation.

Mr Prentice's sister Diana Parker has thanked those who have expressed their sadness.

She said: "Our family appreciate the huge support, affection and condolences from everyone."

Tributes poured in for the Cambridge-educated former farmer as it was revealed a group of villagers spent hours searching for him before he was found dead in a nearby field.

One man who was a friend and neighbour said: "It's a tragedy. It's a tragedy in the way that it happened.

"The car literally went through the hedge but jumping the hedge and landed on four wheels the other side.

"One of the villagers saw just after it happened but were unaware exactly what had happened and just saw the car in the field.

"We didn't find David until about 8pm, because he was a creature of absolute habit and went for bike rides in the morning and late afternoon. He did it religiously every day of the year.

"So when he didn't come home we were concerned and myself and some others went out to try and find him – had he gone to hospital, had there been an ambulance? We just didn't know."

Mr Prentice had lived in Wormshill almost all his life and had worked on Yew Tree Farm which had been owned by his parents.

One woman, who lived near the Blacksmiths Arms pub, said: “He was such a lovely man. The whole village is devastated. It’s such a popular cycling route as well and has been made busier with the roads in Hollingbourne being shut.”

Another villager, who lives just off The Street, added: “It’s so tragic what’s happened. He was quite well-known and had a lot of family around here.

“We’ve not been here long but everyone’s been upset by what happened.”

Officers from the police's serious collision investigation unit are appealing for CCTV or dashcam footage, taken in the Wormshill area and surrounding villages, which might show the movements of the car or bicycle around the time of the collision.

Witnesses can also call the SCIU appeal line 01622 798538, quoting reference AH/DH/116/22.