The father of a 12-year-old boy who drowned while fishing on the River Thames has paid tribute to the son he described as a "shining light".

David Monaghan said Nathan had died pursuing one of his favourite pastimes.

The schoolboy, from MacKenzie Avenue, Milton Heights, near Didcot, will be buried on December 21.

His body was discovered by police divers on December 10 -- a month after he slipped and fell while fishing at Sutton Pools Weir, Sutton Courtenay.

Nathan and close friend Joe McKenzie, of Milton Road, Sutton Courtenay, were fishing from one of the concrete structures at the weir on November 9, when he disappeared below the fast-flowing river, swollen by flood water.

Nathan's funeral will be on Saturday at noon at St Blaise Church, Milton.

Mr Monaghan, from Barwell in Wantage, said the whole family had been devastated by the loss.

"It is difficult to describe the anguish through which all the family and friends have been going since Nathan was lost," he said.

"Thanks to the help and comfort of friends we have managed to pull through, and we cannot thank them, the police and everyone else enough for supporting us through such a difficult time.

"The loss of one so young in tragic circumstances is something a family will never forget. It will live with us for ever.

"Nathan was such a lovely lad. He was a shining light, full of life, always smiling with a good sense of humour. We will never forget him.

"He enjoyed the outdoor life, fishing and going beating during game shoots. He met his death doing one of his favourite pastimes.''

Extensive searches of the river were carried out by the police, divers, family and friends after Nathan disappeared. Relatives said they would not rest until he was found.

Nathan would have been 13 on December 13. A party had been arranged at Milton Football Club.

His father said: "Everyone was looking forward to celebrating Nathan's birthday. Plans were in hand but sadly it was never to be."

Nathan lived with his mother Tanya -- Mr Monaghan's former wife -- her husband Darren Roberts, sister Jade, 11, and brothers Aiden, nine and step-brother Charlie Roberts, aged five.

He was a pupil at Larkmead School, Abingdon.

Headteacher Richard Bysouth said: "Nathan was a popular pupil, friendly and had a great sense of humour. He was a young man who had much potential and is sadly missed. We will in due course be arranging a suitable memorial for Nathan."

Many of Nathan's classmates from Year 8 will be at the funeral, including teachers and representatives of his old primary school at Milton.

Family members will act as pall bearers and lessons will be read by the family.

Two of Nathan's favourite songs will be played.