A man who died after it is believed he fell through rotten floorboards in his home has been named as former museum curator Bob Bradley.

Mr Bradley, 67, died at his home in Margate last Tuesday despite a rescue attempt by emergency services.

Fire crews and police were initially unable to enter the house in Northdown Road, Cliftonville, because it was in a state of severe disrepair and they worked through the night to try and save him.

Northdown Road was closed for several hours as the rescue attempt took place.

Mr Bradley was the former curator of Margate Museum, running the attraction until its closure in 2008.

Ramsgate town councillor and former district councillor Tony Ovenden paid tribute to Mr Bradley on his Thanet Coast Life blog.

He wrote: “Bob was an honest bloke and he didn’t mince his words and told people exactly what he thought.

"We had a difference of opinion when issues regarding the museum came to light.

"It was more about my approach of making it public he didn’t like but we did agree to differ. Regardless of what happened in the past I am still saddened to hear of his death.

“His greatest achievements in my eyes has to be his contribution to building the museum archives and his efforts to build the Second World War collection, especially all the artefacts the museum holds relating to the Home Front and life in Margate at the time.”

And last Thursday bomb disposal experts were called in after a hoard of Second World War memorabilia, including firearms, was found at Mr Bradley’s home.

Firearms experts were helping to sift through the property following the discovery.

Thanet District Commander Ch Insp Julien Lawton said: “During the course of the investigation, officers discovered Second World War memorabilia, including some deactivated weapons.”