THE 'heartbroken' friend of a homeless man who was found dead in Barrow has described him as a true gentleman who bravely battled cancer.

Police launched an investigation on Monday night after the body of homeless Paul Hawkrigg was found in shrubbery behind Premier Tiles by Channelside in Barrow.

The 60-year-old, who had been living homeless, had recently been discharged from hospital and police launched an urgent appeal to find members of his family.

The footpath in Channelside Haven close to Walney Bridge and North Road was cordoned off by officers sometime after 7pm on Monday. A member of the public is understood to have found the body in shrubbery behind Premier Tiles, shortly before 6.30pm.

Police have since confirmed they have made contact with Mr Hawkrigg's family.

Friend of 18 years, Zirvana Smith, said Mr Hawkrigg looked after her daughter when she was younger.

Zirvana said: "Paul Hawkrigg was a good friend of mine and my daughter's for about 18 years.

"I always saw him in the town centre then I didn't see him for a while as he was in hospital with cancer but he overcame that.

"I saw him a few months ago in the market. He was a true friend and gentlemen who would help in anyway possible. I'm so upset as I didn't know he was homeless. He was a very proud man.

"I'm going to miss you wonderful smile. RIP Paul Hawkrigg my friend sleep tight.Thinking of your family and friends at this sad time. Love your heartbroken friend."

After police launched the appeal to find Mr Hawkrigg's next of kin, Barrow man Liam Fenton, of Devon Street, created a Go Fund Me page in order to try and raise £2,500 to pay for Mr Hawkrigg's funeral. You can visit the page HERE .

Mr Fenton said he would either give any donations to the family towards the funeral or donate the money to a Barrow homeless shelter.

Elaine Burley, the owner of Oasis florists in Barrow and Daisy Chain in Dalton, has offered to create a coffin spray free of charge.

On his Go Fund Me page, Mr Fenton wrote: "It's unfortunate that any human being has to die, unfortunately in this man's case nobody can get in touch with any family and most likely will be able to provide funeral funds.

"Therefore I am going to say up a go fund me page to hopefully give this gentleman a send off. I hope as a community we can pull together and give this man a send off that any human deserves."

Mr Fenton, a personal trainer at Nuffield Health, said: "I used to ride my bike down that path to go to Walney and I used to see him sat on the bench. I never spoke to him but after reading about his death, I thought it was only right that we try and give him the send off that everyone deserves.

"The community of Barrow is fantastic, everybody always pulls together and looks after each other and I hope they'll do the same for Paul."