TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular Redditch man who was found dead in a pool near an area of open land in the town.

Scores of tributes have been paid to 78-year-old Barry Walton who was found dead on Monday following an urgent police appeal to find him.

Police were called to land near to Marlfield Lane close to Arrow Valley Park by family members who said they had found Barry.

Earlier in the day an appeal was launched to help find the 78-year-old who had left his home on Sunday, December 2 and had not returned to the address.

Grandson Carl Walton, who along with his cousin, found Barry, said he was a was a well loved man around Redditch.

"He loved Aston Villa, and old steam trains, and was passionate about Birmingham Brummies speedway team," he said.

"He was born in Aston and moved to Redditch over 30 odd years ago, worked in a few places, and back in the day he ran a football team.

"He will be truly missed. It's such a sad time and running up to Christmas as well."

The Advertiser Facebook page has been inundated with messages from family and friends, including one from Rob Holder who said: "Thoughts with Barry’s family, such a nice guy.

Emma Marshall said: "Such sad news. My thoughts are with his family and friends. May he rest in peace."

Michael L d'Abreu said: "So sad to hear this. While I haven’t seen Barry in a while I first knew him when he helped run a football team I played for back in the early 1960s. We played in Belgium and France, and Barry travelled with us. My sincere condolences to his family, nice guy."

Maria Smith said: "Such sad news. Lovely man. He will be missed. Rest in peace Barry x."

Comments are open on this story to allow people to pay tribute to Barry.