Tributes have been pouring in for a popular fruit and veg seller who died in a crash on the Thanet Way on Friday.

James Breaker, 88, of Crown Quay Lane in Sittingbourne, died when his van hit the central reservation on the A299 Thanet Way London-bound carriageway near Brenley Corner and the Dunster House log cabin just before 2.15pm.

No other vehicles were involved.

Mr Breaker had been trading in a lay-by near the Millstrood Road roundabout off the Old Thanet Way in Whitstable for the last eight years.

Floral tributes have been left at the site where his stall was based and family and friends have described him as a "very generous man" and a "loveable rogue".

One message read: "Dear Uncle Jim, Sadly taken from us! Missing you! Good night, God Bless! All our love, Sarah, Kathy, Paige and Dolcie! xxxxx"

Another said: "Dear Jimmy, Gone but never forgotten! Missing you! Rest in peace! All our love, Joe and Tom. xxx"

His brother Joseph, 86, said: "He was working ever since he was 12, he was a jack of all trades and when one idea finished he started another."

Great-niece Paige Breaker, 21, said: "He used to come to us every Wednesday for dinner.

"He was funny, loved his work, always talked about it and wouldn't give up work for anyone.

"As a family we would like to thank the lorry driver behind who got out to help him and the paramedics who tried to save him."

Nephew Edward Breaker, 32, said: "He lived with me for 10 years and went to work every day in wind, rain and snow.

"He couldn't go anywhere without knowing everyone and they all knew his van - since that day my phone has been inundated with people paying their respects.

""He was always a hardworking man and never altered, you don't meet many people like James."

The trader used to pick up and sell strawberries from Faversham producers B R Brooks and Son in Langdon Manor Farm and became good friends with Megan Perkins.

She said: "The term loveable rogue springs to mind.

"He used to come in every day, get strawberries, eggs and potatoes – all local produce, after his family banned him from going to London."

Fruit and veg trader John Beaney also uses the Faversham producers and saw Mr Breaker twice a week.

He said: "He was a truly nice fellow and I believe he had been around fruit and veg all his life."