A WAR veteran who died after being hit by a car was "excited" at his plans for the future, said friends.

Widower George Bickley, 83, of Kingsford Lane, Wolverley, was hit by a blue Mazda 626 last Thursday evening as he walked across Stourbridge Road in Kidderminster, near the junction with Larkhill.

The former carpet worker suffered serious leg and head injuries and died the next day at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester.

Friends and neighbours Pat and Peter Jefferies told the Shuttle/Times & News he had been round for coffee just hours before the accident.

"He was so excited because he was getting a council flat in the Horsefair in Kidderminster where he could walk to the shops," said Mrs Jefferies.

"And he wanted to be near his sister."

"We were advising him on things he should do and he was going to put his property up for sale."

The couple remember Mr Bickley, who was still recovering from the loss of his wife Joan earlier this year, as an "active and sociable" person dedicated to the church.

"He was extremely friendly, a very good man and a nice man - a brilliant chap to have as a neighbour."

Mr Jefferies added: "He had an occasional spasm from being on the beaches at Dunkirk. His nerves were shot to pieces."

But as a musician and showman he was transferred to keeping the Second World War troops entertained.

"He adored playing the mouth organ - he even played it in the hospital when he went to see his wife when she was dying," he said.

"The community will be very sad to see him go."

The leader of Kidderminster's Wyre Forest Community Church, which Mr Bickley regularly attended, said the whole church "felt sadness".

"George was one of the most enthusiastic members of our church - and our church is enthusiastic," commented Paul Raper.

"We leap up and down and get excited and that was the nature of George."

Mr Bickley had no children but leaves a sister, Elizabeth, also in her 80s.

An inquest was opened into Mr Bickley's death on Tuesday in Stourport.

Worcestershire coroner Victor Round said the cause of death was "shock and haemorrhage due to multiple injuries" and adjourned the inquest for three months.

Witnesses to the accident can contact Kidderminster Police on 01562 820888.