YOUNG friends of river tragedy victim Michael Scaife wept openly on Friday as more than 200 people crammed into Slough Crematorium to say their final good-byes.

Michael, 20, of Trelawney Avenue, Slough disappeared while swimming with friends in the river at the Myrke, Datchet exactly two weeks earlier. His body was found the following day after friends and family members joined the emergency services frantically searching for him.

Among those speaking of their warm memories at Friday’s funeral was Stephen Todd -– an assistant leader on the Prince’s Trust’s Slough team -– which Michael joined in January.

The Prince’s Trust is a charity providing training programmes and mentoring support to build the confidence and motivation of disadvantaged young people.

Mr Todd described Michael as a ‘standout character ’, a ‘cool, stylish young man’ who became an effective leader with an ability to inspire others -– completing his team qualification in record time.

Mr Todd said: “He soon became a beloved an integral member of the team that we could always rely on.

“Michael had a natural talent with people and was a warm, friendly and kind person. He would always take time to help others and there is no doubt in my mind that Michael’s passion for youth work would have developed into a blossoming career.

“His legacy will live on, in all the people who loved him, whom he inspired to do better -– especially myself.”

Michael leaves his dad Mark, mum Sonia, brother Kris, 24 and sisters Charlotte, 19 and Lily, seven. They were joined by many other family members at the funeral -– with Mark, Kris and Charlotte among family mourners who bore the coffin in.

Michael’s dad fought back tears as he paid tribute to his son, saying: “He was more than a son to me, he was my best friend.”

In a moment of great poignancy he turned to Michael’s three friends who were with him on the night that a cooling swim in the river at the Myrke in Datchet went tragically wrong, telling them not to blame themselves.

Friends who paid their own tributes during the ceremony sometimes struggled to finish their eulogies as grief overcame them.

Flowers and tributes outside the crematorium bore witness to the sadness of the many people who will miss Michael.