THE husband of Ruby Lovett, the pedestrian who died after being struck by a hit-and-run driver, has paid a moving tribute to her.

In a message released by Kent Police on his behalf Sidney Lovett said: "In loving memory of my love. Ruby was the only lady in my long life, apart from family.

"At 92 years, she was stronger and more active than me. For over 70 years we have lived together with only the odd argument, never a quarrel. We have had the common problems that the war and other public events had brought, and like everyone had to overcome them.

"How and why this terrible thing has happened means nothing to me, except that it has left me just an old and lonely misery who wishes he had gone with Ruby."

Ruby and Sidney met in 1932 when Ruby was 19 and Sidney was 17. They married in 1939. They have a daughter, Pat. There are no grand children.

Kent Police have made a fresh appeal for witnesses to the incident in Hythe on Saturday, May 21, that resulted in the death of Mrs Lovett.

At 4.15pm officers were called by a member of the public who reported that a seriously injured elderly woman had been found lying in Seabrook Road, Hythe, near the junction with Hospital Hill.

Mrs Lovett, who lived nearby, was knocked down in Seabrook Road by a vehicle, which did not stop at the scene and which left her with very serious injuries. She died at Ashford's William Harvey hospital the next day.

Det Sergeant Mark Button said: “We still need to talk to anyone who was in the Seabrook and Hospital Hill area of Hythe on that Saturday afternoon. If you were there you may have seen something that could help us, so please call the witness appeal line on 01622 600970.”

A 61-year-old local woman who was arrested on Tuesday was later released on police bail.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the witness appeal line on 01622 600970.