Heartbreaking messages left canal side following discovery of body in the search for Charlie Pope

"A best friend who could light up a room in a second, he meant so much to so many people".

These were the touching words left at the canal side on Sunday morning, where a body was found in the search for missing University of Manchester student Charlie Pope, 19.

An open bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale was tucked amongst the candles by the Rochdale Canal in the city centre - a subtle nod to the teenager's roots in the north east of England.

Scores of heartfelt messages were left by friends for the popular Northumberland teenager, who was in his first year of a social sciences degree.

One message said: "A beautiful boy, we will miss you Charlie."

"We all love you like a brother, we'll never forget the way you made us laugh," said another.

Summing up the tragedy, another person wrote: "Cut way too short, an incredible human being."

Heartfelt messages were also posted on Facebook to the 'smart, lovely lad'.

Kara Chandler wrote:

Adele Brown added:

Bosses at the University of Manchester also paid tribute to the teenager, who lived in West Didsbury, Manchester.

A university spokesman said:

The 19-year-old went missing after a night out in the city centre in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Underwater divers trawled the Rochdale Canal near Whitworth Street West and found a body the next day.

Police confirmed they believed the body to be that of the missing teenager, although formal identification has not yet taken place.

His family have been informed, they said.