Tributes have been paid to an Olympian and pioneering boatbuilder who helped put Canvey on the map.

Francis Prout, 89, died on February 23 following a short illness.

Mr Prout, along with his brother Roland, worked building folding canoes and boats with their father Geoffrey at the Smallgains factory on the island.

The family business, G Prout and Sons, was launched in 1935 and the brothers took part in the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki in the canoe racing event.

In July 1963 at Small Gains Creek, the largest catamaran to be built in Europe was launched by the Prouts after it was built by them at their factory.

Francis and his elder brother Roland, who died in 1997, made the business one of the world’s most famous catamaran builders.

Ian Hawks, 88, Mr Prout’s brother-in-law, worked for the firm for about 25 years.

He said: “He was a very keen sportsman. He was a grand chap. We got on very well. Boat building is something that has always been in the Prout family. They had their own catamaran and he and his wife used to sail a lot.”

Mr Prout retired and moved to Suffolk where he died.

Ray Howard, Tory Canvey councillor, said he attended many of the Prout brother’s launches during their heyday.

He said: “Francis Prout put Canvey on the map. I went to many launches of their craft with the late Bernard Braine MP. We had Princess Margaret down to launch one of their craft.

“I believe Canvey has lost a very special person and my deepest condolences to the family.”

Mr Prout is survived by his daughter, Jane, his son, Stephen, and two grand-daughters.

His funeral will be on March 10 at 12.30pm Debenham Church in Suffolk followed by the Ipswich Crematorium at 1.45pm. Refreshments will be served at Seckford Hall, Woodbridge, from 2.30pm.