A DOWNHAM window cleaner, who fell 100ft to his death in a tragic accident in the City, was laid to rest yesterday (May 5). Peter Docking's grieving family said goodbye to the father-of-two at St Andrew's Church in Burnt Ash Lane - the church where he was due to get married in the summer.

Then they spoke of how Peter's life was suddenly cut short, just as things were coming good for him. After several false starts, Peter, 31, was to marry long-term fiancee Laura Taylor in July. He had a full-time job and had recently moved his family into a home with a garden in Rangefield Road. But on April 22 he and partner Robert Wright, 52, from Romford, were cleaning windows on the ninth floor of a Midland Bank building in Lower Thames Street, City of London. Something gave way and the cradle, complete with supporting structure, came crashing down onto a Transit van parked below. Both men are believe to have died of multiple injuries.

Peter's father Charles and aunt Janet Pooke live in the next street, Boyland Road. They were babysitting Peter's daughters - Ginnie, two, and five-year-old Ellie - when the accident happened. Charles said: "It's a real tragedy. Like a lot of boys of his generation Peter did not have a steady job but worked here and there and he was finally getting sorted out. In this last year everything was going so well - Peter was a real family man and was delighted with his new job. The wedding and bridesmaids' dresses had all been made and both he and Laura were very happy - now it's all been snatched away."

He added: "Peter should not have died, but there's no point in blaming anyone. It is hard for us as we keep thinking of what might have been. Peter was a fun-loving man and got on with everyone. He was an involved dad and his children miss him."

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