HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a "remarkable young person" and an "artistic and beautiful" friend from Dalton who has died aged 22.

Josef Thompson had been missing from his home in the Aigburth area of Liverpool since November 10.

Mr Thompson's body was found on Thursday in Sefton Park woodland.

Family, friends, Merseyside Police and the media had appealed to find Mr Thompson through the #FindJo appeal.

The former Walney School and Barrow Sixth Form College student, was studying for a degree in fine art illustration at the University of Huddersfield. He and his friends shared a love for psytrance music.

His parents, Claire Beach and Cliff Thompson, have expressed how much it means to the family to see all the wonderful tributes being left for their "kind and caring" son, and how grateful they are to all those who supported the appeal when he was missing.

Mr Thompson's college friend Scott Hunter said: "Jo was sensitive, artistic and beautiful he never pretended to be anything more than what he was and always there no matter what.

"Jo, you may be gone but the laughter memories and friendship will remain for as long as I will live.

"The world is a weaker and undeserving place without you in it and I would just like to say thank you for being a part of mine, however for so briefly. Jo no matter what, you will always be loved. You were the butterfly in the hurricane."

"Every now and then a student comes along who inspires you"

Chris Barnes, Mr Thompson's group tutor and media studies teacher at Barrow Sixth Form, said: "You often hear about teachers that are remembered by their students throughout their life, but there are also students that make a powerful impression on their teachers.

"Last time I taught Jo in person was over four years ago yet it could be yesterday for the vivid memories I have of this remarkable young person. He walked into my classroom, big eyed, beaming smile, his whole being effusing with the boundless energy of a puppy.

"For most teenagers the idea of standing out from the crowd is their biggest anxiety, not so Jo. I remember there was a bean bag in the corner of the classroom, and when I suggested half-jokingly that if anyone wanted to sit there, he was on it like a shot. He was always the first to put forth an opinion, to argue his case, and at the same time open to new ways of seeing the world.

"Jo was a student who cared about people. All people. He was always looking out for his fellow students when they were finding things difficult. And when he had a spare moment he would set out to right the wrongs and injustices of the entire planet.

"Jo was a student who made it his business to know what was going on in the world. Culturally he was my 'go-to man' for what was current and coolest in the media, especially our shared passion for music. Politically he was as engaged in the politics of the planet as much as any student I have ever met, always taking the side of the underdog, and championing the causes that sought to make the world a better place for all.

"I remember Jo came into college a while ago, something to do with his equally remarkable little brother Owen. When I saw him, it was like seeing an old friend who you’ve missed seeing for a little too long. We chatted excitedly about what he was doing at uni and where he was at creatively. He was as ever full of smiles and energy, just as he was when we’d first met, although now his hair was flame red.

"As a tutor you set out to hopefully inspire your students, but every now and then a student comes along who inspires you. Thank you Jo."

John Richardson, headteacher of Walney School, said: "Although I didn’t have the privilege of being Josef’s headteacher, staff at the school have described to me an extremely pleasant young man, who was very well liked by both staff and his peers. Josef excelled in creative subjects and always gave his best in all areas of school life. The thoughts of all staff at the school are with Josef’s family at this immensely sad time and especially with his mum, Claire, who was a colleague of many of us for many years."

Merseyside Police said Mr Thompson's death is not believed to be suspicious.