A father killed when he was struck by a Land Rover was walking to work to keep active, his family said.

Stephen Hilder, a former marathon runner from Tonbridge, was on his way to his delivery driver job when the accident happened, with the 4X4 said to be travelling 'at speed.'

The 70-year-old tragically died at the scene in a car park in Chapman Way off North Farm Road, High Brooms.

Kelly Hilder, Mr Hilder's daughter-in-law, said his death was ironic as he was walking to stay healthy.

On that day he had driven from his Holford Street home and walked the last part of the journey, to his workplace, Motorparks in Tunbridge Wells, to stay active.

"He loved his job, he didn't want to retire," Kelly said. "He didn't want to slow down, particularly after turning 70 on Christmas Day. In some news reports he was described as elderly but he wasn't at all."

Mr Hilder moved to Tonbridge around 20 years ago after growing up in Maidstone. His family recalled someone who lived life to the fullest. He was a keen runner in the 1980s and took on numerous marathons. His personal best came in the 1980s when he ran the Maidstone Marathon in two hours, 47 minutes placing him 18th out of 1,000 participants.

He also spent time trying to help others and raised money for charity doing runs with other milkmen while working for Express Dairies (now Dairy Crest) in Park Wood.

Mrs Hilder, 39, added "He was happy, really really happy. I have known him since I was 15 and I have never once seen him lose his temper or get cross.

"He did the London marathon three times and I think he would have loved to have kept on running. I didn't realise quite how many he had done until I collected all his medals together."

Mr Hilder left behind two sons, Martin, 46 and Daniel, 42. with whom he was extremely close, even getting them to help him with his milk round in Maidstone when they were boys. He also had two grandchildren - Jay and Georgia.

"I don't think I could put it into words what his sons are going through," said Mrs Hilder. "He lived on his own but he and those boys would do everything together. They would play darts and golf and go on holiday. They were like best mates."

A funeral for Mr Hilder will take place at Vinter's Park Crematorium in Bearsted Road, Maidstone at 12.30pm on Friday.

A statement read at the opening of his inquest said the 4X4 was travelling "at speed" then it struck him, on Friday, January 4.

A man in his 50s has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and has since been released while police investigate further.

Flowers and cards paying tribute to Mr Hilder were left at the scene.

Officers are still trying to establish the circumstances of the collision and have urged anyone with dashcam footage to contact them.

Witnesses should call the appeal line on 01622 798538, quoting 04-0270, or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk