A Shropshire student who was killed when he fell 60ft from a cliff close to his university in Scotland has been named as Alex Wilson, who was 19.

Alex, of Alberbury, near Shrewsbury, was a first year student at St Andrews University in Fife.

His father Chris said Alex, who had recently returned from a gap year in New Zealand and had started a joint degree in French and Spanish, was very happy, outgoing and had a great love for life.

He said his son was a talented all-round sportsman who played rugby for Bishop’s Castle, junior county cricket for Shropshire and football for the university first 11.

“We are all heartbroken – it is enormously difficult to come to terms with this tragedy,” he said.

Alex was understood to have been taking a shortcut to a beach party when he fell from the cliff in St Andrews at about 1.30am yesterday.

Police in Fife have described the death as “a tragic accident”.

Stephen Magee, vice-principal of external relations at the university, said Alex was a bright and very popular student who was much loved by his family and friends.

He added: “We send our sincere condolences to Alex’s parents Chris and Jean and his brother Henry at this enormously difficult time.”

Duncan Kirkby, housemaster of Radbrook House at Shrewsbury School where Alex was a pupil from 2003 to 2008, said: “Alex was the type of Salopian all pupils aspire to be – intelligent, articulate, an outstanding sportsman but above all an exceptional person. Everyone who met Alex liked him and would wish to be called his friend.”