A well-known businessman looks set to make a miraculous recovery after he was feared dead.

Mark Auguste, owner of Abbey Antiques in West Malling, suffered a major brain haemorrhage and his devastated loved-ones were told it was unlikely he would regain consciousness.

Doctors at Maidstone Hospital and King's College in London both said there was nothing more they could do for the grandfather-of-three, but a glimmer of hope was spotted by specialists at a third hospital.

The 59-year-old, who lives in the town, was transferred to the Essex-based Queen's Hospital and underwent surgery the following day.

Within hours of the procedure, he showed signs of movement and later spoke to nurses.

Daughter Joleene Gonzalez, 35, said: "I was a mix of emotions. We had told the children he wasn't going to wake up and had started to accept he had gone. It was a big shock when they said that wasn't the case.

"I can't tell you how much of a relief it was when he started to move as we feared he would have locked-in syndrome but he has proved everyone wrong. The nurse asked if he had a grandson and he said ‘yes, Jack’, who is his eldest grandchild, and we couldn't believe what was happening.

"A few days ago, our world fell apart and now we're just full of optimism."

Mr Auguste, who has another daughter, Ella, 31, and a 29-year-old son, Daniel, called his wife Tina when he began to feel unwell at his antiques shop last Saturday.

Mrs Auguste managed to assist her husband to the car but he lost consciousness.

She called out for help and a crowd of people rushed over. Mr Auguste was put into a recovery position on the pavement until an ambulance crew arrived at about 1.30pm.

Mrs Gonzalez said: "We'd like to say a huge thank you to all of those who helped and for all the well-wishers. The support we have received has been so uplifting through what has been an extremely tough time."

Mr Auguste's family intend to run the business while he recovers.