A community stalwart who was knocked down by a van has had a new community defibrillator installed in his memory.

Organisations in Wantage have come together to remember Victor 'Vic' Comley.

The well-known member of the community, passed away at the age of 83 on November 16 last year after being struck in Charlton Road.

Organisations have now banded together and placed a community defibrillator in his memory at Charlton Park Garden Centre.

The defibrillator was donated by Berkshire Masonic Charities with a safety cabinet donated by the Ray Collins Charitable Trust.

The defibrillator can be found on the right-hand side of the garden centre by the entrance when looking in from the road.

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Phil Stevenson, general manager at the centre said: “Vic was well known to all the team at Charlton Park and we wanted a way to remember him. We are happy to be able to host a defibrillator for our local community in his memory.”

Ray Collins, chairman of The Ray Collins Charitable Trust, said: “All at our trust were saddened to hear of Vic’s tragic death.

"Vic was a Freemason for almost 50 years and was a well-respected member in the Lodges in Wantage. He was a community-driven individual and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

“As a trust we were glad to be able to help honour his memory by supplying the heated outdoor case to protect the defibrillator.”

Mr Comley's inquest took place in April at Oxford Coroner's Court.

The court was told he was crossing Charlton Road on the way back from his regular visit to The Bear Hotel when he was struck by the VW van on November 16 last year.

Staff at the Market Square hostelry said you could set your watch by Mr Comley’s arrival.

Having got to the pub at around 4.55pm, he drank two pints then got the bus home shortly after 5.20pm.

CCTV showed him cross the road at a slight angle, heading towards his house on the opposite side of the street, when he was hit by the VW van, the inquest heard.

The driver of the van, Mark Goodwin, who was heading towards Wantage town centre and driving below the 30mph speed limit, described seeing a figure "just step out in front of me’ around a metre in front of his vehicle".

Coroner Mr Salter said at the time: “We’ve heard a bit about Vic and how well known and popular he was. It’s a very sad case.”

He recorded a conclusion of death by road traffic collision.