A film-maker from India is searching for a family to put in his next documentary, and he thinks they may just be from Croydon.

Santhana Ibrahim, 27, has spent six years researching the life of John Pennycuick who sold his family home to fund a dam in Madurai, India in the 19th century that is considered "an engineering marvel."

Mr Pennycuick, who studied at the former East India Company Military College in Addiscombe, Croydon, diverted the west-flowing Periyar River towards the east so it could irrigate dry land.

This transformed the lives of millions of people who continue to benefit from clean water more than 120 years later.

Mr Ibrahim, who lives in Godstone Road, Purley, said: “it would be a dream come true to trace John Pennycuick's family and speak to them about their ancestor's work.

"Are they proud of him? Do they know what he has done for the people of India? His work is like a fairytale in India, his story is passed down through generations.”

Colonal John Pennycuick:

• Born in Pune, India on 15 January 1841 to Brigadier-General John Pennycuick and his wife Sarah

• Went to East India Company Military College, Addiscombe, Croydon in 1857

• Arrived back in India on 11 November 1860

• During six years service at Public Works Department he was Chief Engineer on constructing Mullaperiyar Dam

• In 1895 Queen Victoria nominated him a Companion of the Order of the Star of India

• In 1879 he married Grace Georgina Chamier. Their son, also John Pennycuick, became an English barrister and High Court judge

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