Musicians from across Kent have gathered to pay their respects to a renowned land lady today.

In their tributes to Jackie Bowles, 79, singers and instramentalists remembered her for always encouraging the talents and careers of musicians who came to play at her pub, the Louis Armstrong in Dover.

Her tenure at the Maison Dieu Road venue lasted almost 57 years, and some who played there believe hers was the first pub in Kent to hold regular music nights.

She died on march 15 after fighting a short illness.

Her family has described her as an "irreplacable jewel in Dover's crown."

Known among locals as The Louis, the Maison Dieu Road venue has been a hotspot for music fans for generations, since the time Mrs Bowles and husband Bod took it over in 1962.

It has the unique feature of a mirrored wall facing bands on stage so customers around the corner of the bar can also see them.

The couple first ran the pub in September 1962 when it was The Grapes.

They renamed it the Louis Armstrong in 1972, a year after the jazz legend died.

Mr Bowles even had his own band playing there.The family say they will continue to run the Louis in the same manner Mrs Bowles had and customers should "not expected to see much change there."

Jazz musician Ian Shawcross of Deal said: "I first met Jackie and Bod in the Sixties when The Grapes was a major jazz venue and the Bod Bowles Jazz Band was a sensation every Sunday evenings.

"I feel privileged to have known Jackie for so many years and to have been given the opportunity to play with my own band, (the Ian Shawcross Band) in such a welcoming environment and friendly place."

The procession at Mrs Bowles' funeral started from the Louis Armstrong at 10.30am and went to St Paul's RC Church for the service at 11am.

The committal was at Barham Crematorium at 12.40pm.

The wake was from midday at the pub with bands playing throughout the day representing its different eras.