HUNDREDS of tributes have been paid to a popular waiter from Alcester whose body is believed to have been found by police after he went missing.

Imed Boudhina, aged 46, was well known by customers at the Orangemabel tea rooms in Alcester's High Street and the El Greco Greek restaurant in Stratford upon Avon.

Both businesses have paid tribute to him on their Facebook pages, and in both cases comments have poured in describing Imed as a ‘lovely’ man with a ready smile.

El Greco thanked everyone who helped to look for 'our wonderful Imed’ after he went missing earlier this month.

They included people who helped with a social media campaign, and those who searched gardens, fields, barns, sheds and rivers in and around Alcester, Stratford and Evesham in wintery conditions.

“We, his second family, are devastated at his loss and know life will never be the same again without him. Our hearts are broken for his family here in the UK and those in Tunisia,” they said.

Orangemabel and El Greco customers described Imed as ‘a beautiful person’ and ‘one of life’s genuine guys, nothing was too much trouble.’

Lucy Dos Ramos and Imed Boudhina

Lucy Dos Ramos and Imed Boudhina

Lucy Dos Ramos, who worked with Imed at the Alcester tea rooms, said: "Every time I came to Orangemabel and when I worked there Imed would always put a smile on everyone’s face, no matter what.”

Others described him as an Alcester legend and said the town would not be the same without the sunshine he brought.

One Facebook user said: "Alcester will never be quite the same without the sunshine you brought to everyone you met."

Another said: "He was the loveliest, brightest soul. He lit up every room he was in."

And another tribute said: “Stratford and Alcester have lost a bright star. Such a gentle personality and I always saw him with a smile and genuine pleasure when we met.”

Police say they are not treating the death as suspicious and the coroner has been informed.