A kind-hearted gardening tramp who used to help with neighbourhood shopping and chores has died.

William Dengler died on July 1 after being taken ill but it took a week for his friend Kay Barot, a full-time carer, to find out because she only knew his first name.

The Czech national was thought to have lived in the Mitcham Road area of west Croydon, for about seven-years and according to neighbours was polite, respectful and helpful to all he came into contact with.

Neighbours said William was always there to lend a hand if they needed him, offering help with gardening, carrying shopping and digging cars out when it snowed.

Mrs Barot, 49, who lives in Mitcham Road, said: “He was such a likeable character, everyone knew him and liked him.

“He was always happy and smiling and the kids loved him. Although he was homeless and did drink we never saw him totally legless or being rude to anyone – he was a gentleman.”

Another Mitcham Road resident, mother-of-three, Leah Hastie, 30, said: “William was a great guy. He was amazing, always had a smile and adored my three children. He was so kind and helpful, I will really miss him.

“When I heard he had died I couldn’t believe it. We used to look after him as best as we could and would always give him money for helping us out but he never asked for it and never expected it.

“Although he was homeless he still worked for us doing gardening or coming with us to the tip to drop off rubbish. He was just a genuinely nice man.”

Mrs Barot has asked people who plan to attend his funeral not to buy flowers but instead to donate money to the church where he used to eat every Sunday.

The Tabernacle Church in Parsons Mead, Croydon, has a drop-in breakfast service where homeless people in Croydon can go and get a hot meal every Sunday morning.

• Did you know William Dengler? Let us know by email here, phone the newsdesk on 020 8330 9555 or leave a tribute below.