AN Evesham veteran of the D-Day landings and town stalwart died tragically on Saturday after he was hit by a car.

Noel Wilkes, described as a "war hero", was well known for his work with the Royal British Legion and both the Evesham Sea Cadets and Evesham Army Cadets.

On Saturday the 90-year-old, who lived in Homesmith House in Evesham, is thought to have been heading to the St Ecgwins Social Club.

But sadly he was involved in a collision in the High Street at about 7.15pm and died of his injuries.

Tributes have already been paid to Mr Wilkes.

CPO(SCC) Keith Field, of the Evesham Sea Cadets, remembered Mr Wilkes, who earlier this year raised more than £10,000 to take a group of cadets to the site of the D-Day landings because he was determined to honour the sacrifices of the young men who never came home.

He said: "A regular visitor to Evesham Sea Cadets, our cadets helped Noel make his last visit to Normandy earlier in the year, and was a guest at our Trafalgar dinner last weekend.

"Our cadets and supporters were all utterly devastated to hear the news on Sunday morning, the town hasn't only lost a war hero, however a kind, gentle, and loving man who dedicated his life, until his last day to the duty and service.

"May you rest in peace Noel, and as I wipe a tear away whilst paying tribute, you will always have a place in our hearts."

Mr Wilkes, a widower who worked for many years at Littleton and Badsey Growers, but prior to that he was with the Royal Army Service Corps and landed on Juno Beach just days into the Allied campaign in Normandy, which represented the turning of the tide against the Nazis, paving the way for Allied victory.

And he was well recognised in the town as a poppy collector.

Alan Booth, chairman of the Royal British Legion Evesham branch, said it was a sad loss for the whole town.

"Although he was 90 he used to stand out in all weather collecting for the poppy appeal and his Normandy trip," he said.

"He was taken too early, it's tragic. He was a stalwart of the club. He will be greatly missed.

"He gave us a lot of support and also to the cadets, they were his passion."

Jeff King, also of the legion, added: "He was a dedicated legion member and he was a very, very good friend.

"Of course they went to Normandy, his work on that was absolutely incredible. He just had one thought in his mind all the time and that was to get the point over about the cruelties of war."

His great nephew, Peter Stewart, said: "Uncle Noel was a wonderful man who did so much to honour the lives of those who never came home from the Second World War.

"I feel very privileged to have had the chance to interview him about his experiences of the D-Day landings for FRANCE Magazine and am so proud to count him as my great uncle. May he rest in peace."

The police are now appealing for information about the crash, which saw the road at the junction with Worcester Road closed.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said: “The vehicle involved was a black Ford KA.

“The vehicle was travelling along the High Street from the town centre towards Greenhill.

“Prior to the railway station entrance a pedestrian was crossing the road when he came into collision with the vehicle.”

The driver, a 61-year-old woman also from Evesham, is not thought to have been hurt.

Anyone with any information can contact police on 101 quoting incident number 641 of Saturday, October 25.

If you would like to pay tribute to Noel Wilkes please contact Sarah Taylor on st@eveshamjournal.co.uk or call 01905 742384.