Emotional vigil held in Oswaldtwistle for Jay Slater, 19, as his body found in Tenerife

Lauren Ostridge reports on the vigil held at West End Methodist Church in Oswaldtwistle

An emotional vigil has been held for Jay Slater after a body found in Tenerife is confirmed to be that of the missing British teenager.

Friends and people from the local community who knew the family released dozens of blue balloons into the sky on Tuesday, 16 July, in memory of the 19-year-old who disappeared on the Spanish island almost a month ago.

They met at the West End Methodist Church, close to where Jay's family home, ahead of a special service in memory of the apprentice bricklayer.

The balloons released carried messages saying "you’ll be missed" and “fly high Jay”, and residents of the community left flowers with messages of condolence for his loved ones.

Inside the church, people are invited to light a candle for Jay and sign book of condolence.

During the service, Minister Smith said: "We come together to support each other. Weeks ago I shared a passage with you, 'a light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it'."Today it might feel that the darkness has overcome us but today we also stand together and say that we will remember Jay. His light will never go out. We will remember him."The minister revealed that the service was being held with the approval of Jay's mum Debbie Duncan who is currently in Tenerife. She chose the two songs to be played - Birdy's Wings and a version of Forever Young - which had been played at her dad's funeral."Debbie and family are going up the mountain tonight and they are going to lay some flowers in memory of Jay," Minister Smith added.

"Although we are thousands of miles away from each other we stand with them in solidarity. Debbie asked me to thank you for coming today."She wanted everyone to know how loved Jay was and that is evident by everyone here. Jay will never be forgotten."Community is what will get us through the days and weeks to come. Together we will be stronger."

The vigil comes as Canary Islands High Court of Justice confirmed the identity of a body found near the village of Masca in Tenerife on Monday.

A spokesman for the court said the post-mortem examination report determined that the injuries he sustained were consistent with an accidental fall.

In a statement issued through charity LBT Global, Mr Slater’s mother Debbie Duncan said: “I just can’t believe it – we’re here with the embassy staff waiting for an update and now it’s come – the worst news.”

She added: “I just can’t believe this could happen to my beautiful boy. Our hearts are broken.”

The charity previously said the remains were found with the 19-year-old’s clothes and possessions near his last known location.

The Spanish Civil Guard said Mr Slater, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, could have fallen in the steep and inaccessible area where he was discovered.

Matthew Searle, from LBT Global, said the charity was working with the family to sort out the next steps of taking his body home and the recovery of his belongings.

Jay had attended the NRG music festival with two friends before his disappearance, and his last known location was the Rural de Teno Park in the north of the Canary Island, which was about an 11-hour walk from his accommodation.

He had travelled to an Airbnb in Masca after a night out, but the two men said to have rented the property were later ruled “not relevant” to the case.

Spanish police said they had called off the search for the apprentice bricklayer at the end of June after helicopters, drones and search dogs were deployed to find him.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know…