The funeral for a popular ex-Royal Marine takes place in two weeks.

The service for Michael Furness, of Deal, is at St Mary's Church. Walmer, from 1pm on Wednesday, November 24.

His family has asked for mourners not to provide flowers but instead donate to his favourite charities, Cancer Research UK and Help for Heroes.

Mr Furness, 79, a father-of-six who was married for 59 years, died suddenly at his home on October 26.

He started as a Private at the Marines' 41 Commando section at Deal in the 1960s.

Mr Furness continued as as a chef from the Royal Marines until he was medically discharged in the late 1990s and then took up his bicycle business.

Over the last years he was particularly known for his not-for profit bicycle recycling and repair business and was nicknamed Mike the Bike.

He worked on almost 1,000 machines a year and when fully repaired he donated them bicycles to various charity shops including Barnardo’s and Cancer Research, and sold some privately to pay for new parts.

Donations in memory of Mr Furness can be handed or sent to J. Dilnot Smith & Son, Independent funeral directors, 184 Gladstone Road, Walmer Deal, Kent CT14 7EL

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