Neighbours of a man from Mile End who was found hanging from a children’s climbing frame last week have described him as a “lovely fellow”.

The body of Dean Moriarty, of Harpley Square, was discovered in Canning Town Recreation Ground in Freemasons Road by a passer-by who raised the alarm at around 8.30am on Wednesday morning. Paramedics arrived, but Mr Moriarty was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 42-year-old, who neighbours say worked in the building trade and had two sons and a daughter, was known to as someone who was always willing to go out of his way to help people.

Neighbour Pam Sweeney said he used to do decorating for her, as well as helping with other odd jobs around the house.

“He was just a lovely fellow”, she added. “He’d always come and do bits for me.

“We are all absolutely shattered – it’s very upsetting.”

Elaine Hayden, 37, and her partner Paul Armstrong – who went to school with Mr Moriarty – saw him regularly.

“It’s unbelievable”, said Elaine. “We all had a drink with him on New Years Eve, and we were all having a laugh and a joke.

“He was a really mellow person.”

Mr Moriarty is thought to have lived in Stepney since separating from his wife five years ago.

The police are not treating the death as suspicious.