Body found in lake is missing man Alec Lightfoot

Mr Lightfoot, of Esselie Avenue, Ashley, was found yesterday (THURS) in a quarry lake off Lordsley Lane, in Ashley, near Market Drayton, after friends reported him missing at 6.30pm on Wednesday evening.

Nearby residents believe he and a group of friends had been on quad bikes who had raised the alarm after he went into the water.

Police initially searched the area on Wednesday night, but because of failing light the search was called off until Thursday morning.

While the quarry is gated and signposted to warn people of possible dangers, local residents say there have been trespassers in the past.

Friends have been paying tribute to him on a Facebook page named In Memory of Alec Lightfoot.

Jade Wheeler said: "Absolutely gutted when I heard the news. Can't believe you're gone.

"Such a nice lad, always had people laughing, taken far too soon. Thoughts are with your family and friends!! You'll never be forgotten Alec."

Another tribute, from Sophie Campbell, said: "Alec was such a lovely person and did not deserve to be taken away so suddenly and so soon. He'll always be missed, but never forgotten. Rest in peace."

Originally a sand and gravel quarry, the site is no longer used, but is owned by Hanson Aggregates.

David Weeks, spokesman for the company, said: "Our sympathies go out to his friends and family.

"We were told that police thought there may have been a group of them on quad bikes, but the site is well fenced off and signed.

"They would have had to break through two fences to get to the lagoon, as well as go past warning signs.

"We are responsible for keeping it secure so we have regular patrols to inspect the site, and only last week we had contractors in repairing bits of fencing and things that had been broken.

"We have had quad bikes in there before, and again this sends out a sharp warning that quarries are dangerous places.

"Parents need to know where their children and young adults are and advise them of the dangers."

Jacqueline Pepper, of Tadgedale Avenue, said that young people have nothing to do in the area but many know entrances to the quarry.

She said: "There's nothing round here for the kids.

"The amount of times the council say they're going to build something but they never do.

"You'll always see some of them at the car wash at night just sat in their cars, it's because there's no where for them to go.

"They had a park and now it's just wasteland, and I think that's even getting built on."