Grieving Kent-born rocker Sir Mick Jagger's bandmates have flown into Manston Airport this afternoon.

Keith Richards and Charlie Watts arrived on the Rolling Stones' private jet at the airport, which it was revealed this week could close.

They had flown out of Perth, via Abu Dhabi, after postponing their Australian tour in the wake of the death of Sir Mick's girlfriend L'Wren Scott.

Sir Mick, who grew up in Dartford, earlier flew to Los Angeles and is said to have started making funeral preparations for the fashion designer.

L'Wren was found dead in her Manhattan apartment on Monday, with 70-year-old Sir Mick saying he had been "touched" by the messages of support he has received.

A Manston Airport spokesman confirmed the Rolling Jones' plane arrived this afternoon with Richards and Watts on board.

The Stones have rescheduled their gigs in Australia and New Zealand, with them now set to go ahead in October.

L'Wren, who first started going out with Sir Mick in 2001, joined him on a visit to Dartford four years ago when he visited the Mick Jagger Centre at his old grammar school, which he left in 1961.

His surprise visit, to open an extension to the performing arts centre with Miss Scott, was met with rapturous applause.

Sitting down with her, feet tapping, Sir Mick listened to a concert including African drumming.

Miss Scott was born in Utah. Her love of clothes began when, after struggling to find things to suit her height - 6ft 3in - she started making her own. She headed to Paris as a model, but still loved creating designs.

After moving to Los Angeles, she began to work as a stylist which took her into advertising campaigns and film costume design.

Among those paying tribute to her were supermodel Naomi Campbell, Vogue editor Anna Wintour and Madonna.

Sir Mick has changed the homepage of his website to a picture of L'Wren, and a quote: "I am still struggling to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way.

"We spent many wonderful years together and had made a great life for ourselves. She had great presence and her talent was much admired, not least by me.

"I have been touched by the tributes that people have paid to her, and also the personal messages of support that I have received."

Meanwhile, a 45-day consultation into the possible closure of Manston Airport started earlier this week.

Airline KLM is not taking any bookings for after April 8 and a petition against the closure has collected more than 7,000 signatures.