The fiancee of a man who died after going missing on a night out in Shrewsbury today paid tribute to a “real character” who was the “life and soul of every party”.

Catherine Moore-Hughes, known as Tez, said her partner Joshua Wreford would want people to celebrate his life rather than feel upset he had gone.

She said the support they had received from everyone since Mr Wreford’s death was helping them cope at such a difficult time.

Search teams found Mr Wreford’s body in the River Severn on Friday afternoon, two days after he had last been seen in the Barker Street area at about 11.30pm.

The 24-year-old, from Radbrook, worked as a dietician at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and he and Miss Moore-Hughes had been together for two years.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support from the very beginning. You have all been a great support and have done him proud,” she said today.

“Your love and support are really helping us through this awful time. Josh would not want people to be upset, he would want us all to celebrate his life.”

Miss Moore-Hughes said her partner was a fantastic father to their 11-month old son, Curtis Joshua, and she knew he would grow up knowing what a wonderful man his father was.

She said: “In his 24 years he did so many things that would take some people a lifetime to achieve.

“Josh did so many fun, amazing things, he was the life and soul of every party. It made everyone smile just to be around him.”

She added: “He was a real character and that’s why I think we loved him the most. He was like no other. He was an amazing partner and father. He did so much for us and made sure we were always happy.

“I know his son will miss him but everyone will tell him what a wonderful person his father was.

“Josh was also a son and brother and I know his mother and sister meant the world to him.

“I think we should all celebrate his life as I know that’s how he would have wanted it.”

Police said today a post mortem examination is yet to be held and an inquest will be opened by the coroner in due course.