VILLAGERS packed church pews today to celebrate the life of a “mischievous” country-loving lad whose tragic death struck the core of the community.

Ellis Downes, who drowned in the Thames this month while swimming, was remembered by friends and family at St Matthew’s Church in his home village of Harwell.

The 16-year-old’s love of life was reflected in bright clothing worn by mourners, who watched as his camouflage-print coffin was carried in to sound of The Wurzels’ I’ve Got A Brand New Combine Harvester – apt for his farming ambitions.

Ellis’ big sisters Tayla and Alex bravely took to the microphone to share some of their favourite memories.

They said: “He lived life to the fullest. When he was born he was a cute baby for us to cuddle – although he didn’t stay cuddly for very long. We would be sat watching TV with our feet hanging off the sofa and he would be trying to hang off our toes. The mischief didn’t stop there.”

Chuckles rippled round the church as they remembered the time Ellis covered himself in baby lotion, his insistence as a toddler that his sisters jump on his bed to tuck him in, and his clumsy habits which once ended in him Hoovering up a phone cable.

They added: “We remember visits to nan and gramps’ caravan where we would sit in the bath together and eat our Easter eggs and Ellis would eat the bubbles.”

Among the mourners were Ellis’ parents Emma and Darren Downes, plus members of Specialist Group International – the diving team which pulled the teenager’s body from the river in Culham on May 9.

He had disappeared at the same spot two nights earlier after being seen by friends struggling as he swam.

Ellis, who was studying forestry and land management at Abingdon and Witney College’s Common Leys campus, developed a passion for hunting and country sports from a young age when his dad took him out into the fields.

Big sister Alex said: “He was a proper country lad. At age eight he caught his first rabbit and he was so excited to show it off.”

Members of the farming community, proudly decked out in Tweed and flat-caps, were among many who shed a tear as a tractor pulled up after the service bearing hay bales and flowers in tribute to the teen’s passion.

Ellis’ sisters laughed about his cheeky nature which they said landed him in trouble with the headteacher of his secondary school St Birinus many times, favouring shooting magazines and the Guinness Book of World Records over academic books.

The sisters added: “It is not goodbye, it’s see you later. We will talk to you every day.”

Reverend Dr Jonathan Mobey led the service, which saw traditional hymns and prayers alongside one of Ellis’ favourite rap songs, Fester Skank by Lethal Bizzle.

Rev Mobey said: "It was an honour to be able to support the family and wider community in giving thanks for his life. The church has been the heart of the community and naturally they gathered for this very significant occasion."

Ellis’ body was cremated in a private ceremony before the community united again at the Harwell Royal British Legion Club.

Police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission continues to investigate Thames Valley Police over its search for Ellis’ body.