The father of teenager Ben Halsey-Jones, who is feared to have drowned in the River Thames, has spoken of how his son spent his last day doing what he loved best.

Ben Halsey-Jones, 15, of Wolvercote, fell into the swollen River Thames while cycling across Port Meadow on Sunday evening.

His father, Rob Jones, said: "What he'd done that actual day actually meant an awful lot to us because he spent the day doing three things that he loved.

"In the morning he went to support his youngest brother Jake playing rugby for the Oxford Harlequins. He loved sport and he was a great supporter of Jake.

"At lunchtime we had his grandpa over for lunch. Ben's a Manchester United supporter and his grandpa is an Arsenal supporter and they were having a lovely time bantering about who was the best.

"The third thing was riding his bike over the meadow, which he loved to do, so all of those three things were things that he absolutely loved doing.

"At least we know he had a whole day of doing things he enjoyed."

This morning , more than 135 messages of love and support for Ben and his family had been left on the Oxford Mail website.

Mr Jones said the family had been overwhelmed: "The support we have had has been amazing and everybody from Wolvercote and Cherwell schools has been great.

"The Cherwell School has created this lovely area where people can leave flowers, which is really touching.

"We are struggling and it is very difficult for his brothers and sister, but the children in the schools have sent lots of letters and cards and messages of support.

"It means so much to us to know that we are not alone at this terrible time. Thank you all so much.

"Ben will always be our special son and the love we have received from everyone is incredible."

He added: "We definitely would never want the towpath to be shut because it's a beautiful area.

"We don't attach any blame to anyone at all, it was a pure accident, and we would like to thank the emergency services who have been fantastic."

The family has also left messages to Ben on our website. The latest member of the family to leave a tribute was his younger brother Jake, who wrote: "Ben i luv u wiv all mi heart and i always will.

"Thanku to everyone who has put a coment it means so much to r family and it is so nice to see how much people care about my brovs tragic death ben was so nice and kind and it is such a shock to me and r family."

Friends and family have been lighting candles at St Peter's Church, Wolvercote, to remember Ben and a prayer vigil in his memory will be held on Sunday at 5pm.