A FORMER Olympic swimmer who trained and lived in Beckenham has died after a short battle with cancer.

Christopher Walkden passed away on July 28, aged 73, leaving behind his wife of 50 years Wendy, three children and seven grandchildren.

Mr Walkden moved to Beckenham in 1945 and joined Beckenham Swimming Club, where he trained to compete at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 and Rome Olympics in 1960.

He went on to train the next generation of swimmers, and became president of Beckenham Swimming Club and Kent County Amateur Swimming Association.

In 1988 he moved out of the borough to Wrotham, to be closer to the factory for his printing businesses, and later opened a bed and breakfast at his home.

He continued teaching swimming and had an indoor pool in his home. Diving into village life, he took over the running of numerous fetes and the Wrotham Art Festival.

His daughter Tessa Webb said: “He will continue to be an inspiration to all who knew him, for his ability to push beyond the barrier of his own expectations, as a dyslexic, and to encourage others to do the same.

“He was a wonderful role model whose legacy will long outlive him.”

There will be a service of thanksgiving for Mr Walkden’s life at Siddington Parish Church in Siddington, near Cirencester in Gloucestershire, at 3pm on September 14.

This will be followed by afternoon tea in Siddington Village Hall.

Donations in memory of Mr Walkden can be made to The Prostate Cancer Charity or The British Dyslexia Association c/o Cowley & Son, Triangle House, 62 Victoria Road, Cirencester, GL7 1ES. Tel: 01285 653298.