A rowing club has named its new £14,000 boat after one of its members who died earlier this year.

The Olympic Class Double Scull was presented in memory of Matthew Brown on Sunday at Lea Rowing Club in Spring Hill, Walthamstow.

Mr Brown, who ran Brown’s Motors, in Station Road, Loughton, and used to attend Forest School, in College Place, Snaresbrook, passed away earlier this year from a heart attack at the age of 52.

Matthew was a member and supporter of the club and was often to be seen at social events along with his old schoolmates.

59-year-old junior coach, Mark Cushway, said: “It was very sudden, I had known him since I was 12-years-old so it was a shock to everyone.

“He was an extremely successful businessman and a very nice chap, really generous, it was such a shame because he was so young.

“It made you think because we are a similar age and you just hope it doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

The rowing club, with over 300 members and around 100 boats, competes in national competitions.

It is registered as a charity and is funded by membership fees which cost from £280 a year.

It used to have a relationship with Forest School between the 1960s and 1990s and since September this year, pupils from the school have started having four classes a week as part of the curriculum.

Mr Cushway said: “The new agreement is absolutely fabulous as Forest school has a proven track record so we are excited to have some enthusiastic youngsters on board.

"We have come full circle and we want to create a legacy with the school like we used to have between the 1960s and 1990s.

“But we want to point out we are not eliteist in any way and anyone can join, I would like to see some more young people between 12 and 14 at the club."