Hundreds turned out to pay their respects to much-loved former Mayor of Maidstone and custard pie fight enthusiast Brian Mortimer.

The 65-year-old, who served as Councillor for Coxheath and Hunton between 1996 and 2018, tragically passed away at a hospice on Friday, May 24 after a four-year battle with cancer.

His funeral, held at All Saint's Church in College Avenue, Maidstone today drew a huge crowd of mourners.

Attendees included fellow councillors and former mayors, community activitsts, current mayor Marion Ring, as well as friends and family.

Traffic was stopped on College Avenue and Knightrider Street as the hearse was walked to the church, Mr Mortimer's coffin was adorned with bright yellow flowers.

His son, Chris, who shared fond memories of his father concluded his eulogy simply saying his dad "was a legend."

"Dad, we love you and we really, really, really miss you. Everyone misses you, even the dogs miss you," he added.

Mr Mortimer was born in Folkestone in 1954 and, due to his father's work as an engineer, moved around throughout his early childhood until finally settling in Maidstone at 11.

Paying tribute were colleagues and friends Eric Hotson, Colin Leith, Nick Gore, and Malcolm Flisher.

Despite the solemn occasion all who shared their memories laced their speeches with humour, filling the church with laughter.

"That's what my dad would have wanted today at his funeral. He would have wanted us smiling and laughing and that's because he cared about people," said Chris.

Mr Leith remembered how Mr Mortimer encouraged him to get involved in local politics and the two played together in a band.

"He was a dynamic and engaging personality who won people over with his smile and his laugh," he said

A booklet of photographs handed out at the service showed Mr Mortimer throughout his life and, in honour of his partiality for a pint, is peppered with small pictures of beer and wine.

The grandfather is remembered not only for his wonderful personality and political career but for his instrumental role in reviving The World Custard Pie Championship.

Mr Mortimer rebooted the pastry confection throwing competition, in honour of pie tossing innovator Charlie Chaplin, in 2007 after being stopped in 1988.

Previously the contest had been held each year since 1967.

At the most recent event, on Saturday, June 1, Mr Mortimer was remembered with a minute of continuous applause.

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