A tribute has been paid to the man who died after being pulled from the River Avon near the Riverside Club in Melksham.

Nigel Boodle, 70, of Chiltern Close, Melksham, was found in the river just after 3.15pm on Tuesday, October 14, and was treated by ambulance staff before being taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

He had lived on his own in his flat for at least 30 years and on the day of his death his glasses were found on a pavement in Blackmore Road.

Neighbour Aimee Hams said: “I saw the police go to the flat on the night that it happened and when they said about the river I sort of guessed it was him before they named him because I knew he was ill.

“He was a friendly guy and said hello but he was pretty private, he didn’t really socialise, but he was polite.”

Mr Boodle’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is now being prepared for the Swindon and Wiltshire Coroner for an inquest to be opened.