The man who fell into the River Thames at Teddington and drowned earlier this month is to have his ashes scattered in the river next to his houseboat.

Peter Farrant, 67, was found in the river at Eel Pie Island on January 17 after he went missing the night before.

It is believed he was driving his electric wheelchair home to his houseboat moored close to Teddington Lock after a night out with friends at the nearby Tide End Cottages pub, in Ferry Road, when a wheel slipped off the ramp leading on to the boat and he fell in the water.

Teddington lifeboat was launched in the search for Mr Farrant but he was found the following morning downriver.

Mr Farrant’s son Karl said his ashes will be sprinkled into the river next to the boat on Saturday after his funeral.

“Everyone loved my father,” he continued. “He was very well respected and was the same every day of his life.

“He never fell out with anyone and always helped everyone.

“He was well known in Teddington, in the High Street and Tide End Cottages. He loved the area, the river, the wildlife.

“We thought it would be fitting for him to go back to the river.”

Karl said his father had been in a wheelchair for about six months after having an operation to replace a knee. It had made life difficult as he was a carer for his wife Lesley, who has MS.

The couple have one other son, Julian, and have lived on the river since 1974. Mr Farrant also worked on the water for a long period - delivering boats to customers all around the world.

Michael Walsh, 73, of Broom Road, knew Mr Farrant for more than 30 year and was out with him on the night he died and said there was a great sadness among his friends.

“He was a well liked person,” he continued. “I can’t think of anyone who didn't like him.

“He was well known in the boating community and spent his life on boats, it was a terrible tragedy that should never have happened.”

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