The family of an “honourable and generous” grandad who died after falling in water said his “bright personality” will always be remembered.

William Britton, 54, passed away in May after he suffered an epileptic seizure while walking his dog around St Mary’s Island in Chatham.

He fell into the basin and, despite efforts from medics, later died in hospital.

Paying tribute, his son Jack Britton said his dad, who lived in Ripplewaters, on St Mary’s Island, was “generous, friendly, personable and a grafter.”

He added: “He was a very kind and caring man. He always put everyone else first and was always a listener.

“He never spoke about himself as he was more interested in hearing about other people’s lives.

“This was particularly the case when he was at work. He loved speaking with his clients.

“All of his clients adored him and so many of them throughout Dad’s working life turned up to his wake and funeral.

“Dad has a huge, loving family and always thought that his friendship circle was small but it was huge and he never realised this.

“He would always speak highly of us three boys and his two grandchildren. He always wanted the best for us.

“He was an honourable and generous man.

“My brothers and I will always remember the years he spent watching us play football no matter the weather - rain, snow or sunshine. He was always there.

“His close friends and clients will always remember him as a gentle caring man with a bright personality.”

Mr Britton leaves behind his wife Amanda, three children Jack, Joshua and Oliver and two grandchildren five-year-old Mabel and four-year-old Rudy, who have since raised more than £3,500 for Epilepsy Research Institute UK in his memory.

An inquest into his death was held at Oakwood House, in Maidstone, on Tuesday (July 23).

Area coroner for Mid Kent and Medway, Bina Patel, heard the painter and decorator was out walking his dog when a passerby saw him in the water on May 27.

The court was told a member of the public pulled him from the water, near Marine View, on St Mary’s Island, while the emergency services were called at around 9.30am.

Miss Patel heard Mr Britton was treated at the scene and intubated before being transferred to the intensive care unit at Medway Maritime Hospital.

The dad-of-three had a history of epilepsy and suffered from absent seizures which involved a brief and sudden lapse of consciousness.

While at the hospital, he had ongoing seizures and despite receiving treatment he “continued to deteriorate”, the inquest heard.

Miss Patel was told a CT scan showed Mr Britton, who was born in Chatham, had a brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen and due “to his poor prognosis, life support was withdrawn” on May 28.

His cause of death was given as a brain injury due to a cardiac arrest and drowning due to epilepsy.

Concerns were raised by Mr Britton’s wife Amanda over the safety of the location where he fell into the water.

Wooden posts and a chain handrail separate the quayside path from the river basin and there are multiple warning signs and rescue equipment stationed along it.

The Chatham Maritime Trust owns and is responsible for the maintenance, health and safety of the area.

Giving evidence, the trust’s chief executive officer, Richard Farrer, said it is inspected monthly as well as on an ad-hoc basis and no issues have ever been raised.

Following the incident, Mr Farrer said the area was reviewed again and appointed an independent inspector who said it was “in good condition” and there was no need for improvement.

Miss Patel said she did not see the need to write a prevention of future deaths report.

The area coroner stated a narrative conclusion and offered her condolences to Mr Britton’s family for their loss in “such tragic circumstances”.

At the time, police officers, paramedics, the air ambulance and the coastguard were called to the scene.

The quayside path and Maritime Way bridge, which leads to the Island, were also cordoned off.