Newbury canal death: Tribute to 'beautiful boy' Dylan Milsom

Dylan was described as a "happy, brave and warm little boy"

Tributes have been paid to a "cheeky, happy-go-lucky" boy who died after falling into a canal.

Dylan Milsom, aged three, went into the Kennet and Avon Canal in Newbury, Berkshire, on Saturday. He was taken to hospital where he later died.

His mother, who also was recovered from the water near Ash Bridge, has since been discharged from hospital.

Dylan's family said he was "bursting with character" and liked to feed ducks and throw sticks into the river.

Thames Valley Police said the death was being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.

Dylan's family said he loved being outdoors

In a statement, his family said: "Dylan simply loved life and he made our lives richer every day. He had a beautiful smile, and we loved his cheeky happy-go-lucky zest for life.

"Dylan touched the lives of so many people and brought so much light into the world of those who knew him and even those who didn't.

"We will miss our beautiful boy forever and keep him close in our hearts always. He will forever be our hero, our world, our everything - our Dylan."

They added: "It has warmed our hearts to hear from so many of the people we know that it was not just our little family that felt he was special.

The Canal and River Trust, which manages the site, previously said it was "shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life".

Newbury MP Laura Farris said she had written to the trust for a meeting to discuss safety along the canal in Victoria Park and the town.

The latest incident follows the death of two people in 2017 and another man last month in the canal, she said.

A petition to construct a safety barrier at the weir at Victoria Park, by Ash Bridge, has been signed by more than 4,000 people.