Regulars at an Oxfordshire village pub are collecting money to buy a wooden bench in memory of a local pensioner.

The Red Lion, in Drayton, near Abingdon, was Alex Russell's favourite pub in the village and now regulars are paying their last respects by collecting money for a bench which, will be placed outside the pub or in the garden.

Mr Russell's body was eventually found in a brook at Steventon two miles from his home in Abingdon Road, Drayton.

He had been missing for three weeks since the night of Friday, January 26, and was last spotted waiting for a bus in Abingdon's High Street. An extensive police search involving mounted officers, dogs and the force helicopter had taken place. His body was discovered by a walker.

Pub landlord Glen Woolley said: "Alex was a regular here for many years and was well-liked and respected. We have collected more than £70 so far, and I expect a lot more money will be raised over the next few weeks."

Nearly 200 people attended Mr Russell's funeral service.

The vicar, the Rev Dorothy Derrick, said Alex "was a character and always did it his way".