TRIBUTES have been paid to a painter and decorator whose body was pulled from the water at the Bradford on Avon Marina on Sunday afternoon.

Residents on the marina said he was “lovely man” and a “really nice bloke” who worked locally as a painter and decorator.

The man – whose name has not yet been released by police – had lived on the Marina for more than two years in a narrowboat called Water Music.

He ran a business called JPR Painting & Decorating Wiltshire and drank in the nearby Boat House pub next to the marina with his friends.

He is understood to be in his 40s and had been drinking in the Boat House on Saturday evening.

The alarm was raised on Sunday when he failed to attend a game of golf with a friend who then went to his boat to find out why.

It is understood that his body was spotted in the water near his narrowboat.

Trowbridge fire crews reported on social media they had found a body in the water after being called out to the marina on Sunday evening.

They said on Twitter: "We were sent to reports of a person in the water at Bradford Marina which we attended in a heavy rescue unit and water rescue truck. Unfortunately, we retrieved a body."

Wiltshire Police worked overnight to conduct enquiries. It is understood they are awaiting the results of medical evidence.

A spokesman said: “We’re investigating the death of a man after a body was found in Bradford-on-Avon marina yesterday.

“We were contacted by a member of the public just after 4pm yesterday afternoon following reports of a body in the water.

“All emergency services attended but, sadly, the man was declared dead at the scene.

“At this time, we are treating his death as unexplained and our enquiries continue.”

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact us on 101 and quote log number 224 of 9/12/18.