The family of a teenager who died following a night out have paid tribute to him as it emerged that one of his close friends had found his body.

The family of a teenager, who died following a night out, paid tribute to him yesterday as it emerged that one of his close friends had found his body.

It was confirmed by Suffolk police yesterday that a body found on Tuesday afternoon in Buss Creek, Southwold, was that of 19-year-old Daniel Hannant.

The Reydon youngster was last

seen at about 11.30pm on Saturday night after spending a night out

with friends at the Royal British Legion Club, in Blackmill Road, Southwold.

Speaking yesterday, his father, Michael Hannant, 50, told how the past few days had been "gut-wrenching" and "really terrible" for him and his wife Patricia, 49.

Mr Hannant also told how Daniel's close friend, Maneesh Patel, had found the body and then broken the news to the family.

"Maneesh wanted to go and look and see if he could find him," said Mr Hannant.

"The rescue team heard him call out that he had found a phone and the rest of the rescue team went over, and by that time Maneesh was pointing down into the dyke where they then found my son."

Mr Patel returned to the family home and told Mr Hannant.

"I knew by the look on his face that he had found something. He just said 'I have found him'.

"It was just terrible. It was heart-stopping."

Daniel, who had two younger brothers - Joseph, 17, and Mark, 14 - worked at Somerfield in Southwold and had recently finished writing a fantasy novel which he had sent out to publishers.

He was a big fan of rock music, particularly Linkin Park, and enjoyed American TV dramas including Lost, Heroes and Prison Break.

Mr Hannant, a painter and decorator, said his son had many friends.

"He had a very cheerful personality and made friends very easily and was well-liked.

"He was like any normal 19-year-old and was boisterous and full of himself.

"Whenever he went out he was always smartly dressed and he was very particular about his appearance. "

A former pupil at Sir John Leman High School, in Beccles, Daniel had also previously attended a carpentry course at Lowestoft College and had studied at East Norfolk Sixth Form College in Gorleston.

After his night out on Saturday, he was expected to walk the one mile to his home in Windsor Road, Reydon, but became separated from his group of friends at about midnight.

Mr Hannant said he believed his son had consumed a large amount of alcohol that night.

"Nobody can understand why he cut across the common and did not go down the high street," he said.

Mr Hannant also thanked those who helped look for Daniel.

A police spokesman said: "As is standard procedure, Mr Hannant's death is currently being treated as unexplained, but at this stage there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.

"A post-mortem examination has been carried out this morning, which proved inconclusive. Further tests are to be carried out."

An inquest will be held at a later date.