A bench in memory of Spurs fan Sam Peters who died during open heart surgery will be installed on the promenade in Walmer.

Sam, 29, of St Richards Road, was undergoing heart valve replacement at Royal Brompton Hospital, London, on September 6.

Almost immediately after his death, his friends started a Just Giving page to raise funds for a memorial bench for him.

In just a couple of days £2,400 was collected and it will now be installed above Walmer gravel car park.

Sam’s dad, Steve Peters, said: “I’d like to thank all of the people who set it up.

“Sam loved the sea front and although he never passed his driving test, he did learn how to drive in the car park below.”

Mr Peters and his partner Tracey Powell regularly walk their dogs, Benji and Robbie, along the promenade in Walmer.

Robbie was chosen by Sam and named after his favourite Tottenham player at the time, Robbie Keane.

“Sam has left a massive hollow of emptiness in our family lives. It’s made us aware of how vast his loving influence was throughout the family.” - Sam's dad, Steve Peters

Mr Peters added: “It will be somewhere we’ll sit everyday.”

Sam’s love of Spurs was a constant throughout his life. As a member of East Kent Spurs – a supporters’ club founded by Mr Peters, in 2000 – he is estimated to have attended more than 500 matches.

A plaque on the bench will read “Sam Peters loved Deal and Deal loved Sam”.

His family thought it was only fitting that the Tottenhem moto Audere Est Facere, Latin for To dare is to Do is also inscribed.

Mr Peters said: “Sam has left a massive hollow of emptiness in our family lives.

“It’s made us aware of how vast his loving influence was throughout the family.”

The remaining balance, after the bench has been paid for, will be donated to Royal Brompton Hospital.

Sam’s funeral, held at Trinity Church in Union Road, Deal, on Monday, September 26, was attended by about 300 people. A collection raised £940 for the Kelly Turner appeal.

Mr Peters said: “There was a massive turnout at the church. It was really spectacular.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Rev John Lines at Trinity Church for conducting such a special service.”