VIDEO: Tributes paid after man's body found in Gosport

Hampshire Police confirmed this morning that a body was discovered in water in Gosport following a major hunt on Saturday.

The family of 27-year-old Michael Stratton, who police believed jumped into water off a bridge yesterday, have been informed. Well-wishers have since taken to Facebook to give their tributes to the family.

Alix Kapongo posted: ‘Such bad news! Lennox and I were there last night, saw a lot of police, thought nothing of it. Please for god sake kids stop jumping off the bridge.  ‘Prayers go out his family at this very sad time.’

Search teams look for Michael Stratton in Gosport yesterday
Picture: Jason Kay/Uknip — Search teams look for Michael Stratton in Gosport yesterday Picture: Jason Kay/Uknip

Lisa Fletcher Young posted: ‘So sad. Thinking of family and friends :,-( xxx’

Martin Bromley said: ‘RIP beaver mate, Very sad news to wake up to, it was good meeting and working alongside you, we had some good laughs mate, you will be missed but never forgotten, my thoughts go out to his family and friends x’

And JonMaxine Knight said: ‘Crying shame. a beautiful little corner of Gosport too, that bridge. Thoughts with his family.’

Police and coastguards had joined the search for Mr Stratton yesterday after he hadn’t been seen since 2pm on the same day in Clayhall Road, Gosport.

Police believe that he had jumped off the Jackie Spencer bridge, known locally as the Black Bridge.

The force’s Facebook account posted this morning: ‘A body has been found in water in Gosport this morning.

The family of missing 27-year-old Michael Stratton has been informed.’

A formal identification of the body will now take place.