A man has died after climbing into a manhole to clear a neighbour's drain which became blocked by severe flooding.

Alan Higgs, 58, entered the drains in Greenwood Drive in Chingford, north-east London, on Wednesday afternoon.

The emergency services were called when Mr Higgs failed to re-emerge after a couple of hours.

His body was later recovered from the drain by the fire brigade.

'Very popular'

Mr Higgs was known for helping his neighbours and had gone into the drains to carry out similar favours for his neighbours "many times before".

Ann Brock, a family friend, said his death was a "total shock and tragedy".

"He was very popular. Everyone knew him around here."

Mr Higgs' wife and daughter are being comforted by relatives at the family home.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident but at this stage there is nothing to suggest it is suspicious."