A GREIVING father and city churchman who lost his son in a tragic river accident has thanked the city for its support over the last few months.

Tony Ballard, aged 17, drowned while swimming with friends in the river Severn near Worcester racecourse on a hot afternoon in June.

His father, Rev Duncan Ballard, thanked people for their messages of support over the past few months on behalf of he and his wife Ellie Ballard – Tony’s mother.

“Thank you to the whole of the city,” he said.

“We knew you were there and it really did make a difference.”

Speaking at St Peter’s Parish Council meeting the minister of St Mark’s in the Cherry Orchard also thanked fellow councillors for their support.