A post-mortem examination of Steven Lees' body was 'inconclusive', leaving his heartbroken family a possible wait of six months before a coroner's court will reach a verdict on the cause of his death.

Mr Lees – pictured – was last seen in the Jolly Roger pub in Priory Road, Gosport, last Monday, when he told staff and locals he was going to spend the night on his boat, which was moored nearby.

As reported in The News last week, the next morning a member of the public spotted his body washed up on the beach near Quay Lane Boatyard next to the dingy he had used to try and reach his boat.

Andy Lees, 43, his brother, said: 'It's going to be really hard waiting for so long to find out what caused my brother's death and obviously I'd like to know what happened sooner.

'But I can't criticise because everyone we've dealt with, from the marine police to the coroners office, has been great.

'I wish we didn't have to wait for such a long time, but at least his body has been released so we can have the funeral. It would have been awful to have it without.'

Mr Lees' family has today released a joint statement about their sorrow at his death.

'Steven will be sadly missed by all the family who relied on him for friendship advice and laughter,' it said.

'He was a wonderful man who lived his life to the full. He will always be in out hearts and thoughts.

His 18-year-old daughter, who asked not to be named, added: 'My dad was a great man, I will miss him deeply.

'He will always be with me and part of him will live on forever.'

The funeral of Mr Lees, 45, will be held at Portchester Crematorium on Monday at 2pm and all friends, relatives and former work colleagues are invited to attend.

This will be followed by a wake at the Jolly Roger pub – where Mr Lees was a regular – at which friends, family and locals will raise a glass to his life.

Mr Lees, a building site contractor, lived alone in Freemantle Road, Gosport.