A headmaster says his school community is “devastated” after a body was found in the search for missing student Ryan Hughes.

The 17-year-old hadn’t been seen since leaving his home in Eccles, near Aylesford, on February 17.

But the search for the Oakwood Park Grammar pupil was abandoned on Thursday morning after police were called to the River Medway near Aylesford, where a body had been found.

The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

After the teenager was reported missing from his home in Eccles near Aylesford, his village joined forces in a campaign to help find him.

Businesses gave over CCTV to police, leading police to issue to an appeal with an image of Ryan walking through Aylesford High Street on the night he disappeared.

Posters had been shared around the village and in the days after he went missing a large scale search was launched along the river.

Oakwood Park Grammar School head teacher Kevin Moody paid tribute to the youngster.

He said: “Everyone at the school is devastated at the loss of Ryan. He was a fine young man, achieved highly at GCSE and was thriving in the sixth form in his studies and wider involvement in school life.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with Ryan’s parents, his brother, his wider family, all his friends and his teachers.

“We will be offering support to Ryan’s friends, his year group and our staff in the oncoming days and weeks as we come to terms with this tragedy.”

Since the tragic news was announced, hundreds of people have paid their respects to the teenager online, and flowers have been left at the side of the river.

Taylor, from a group that knew Ryan left flowers and said that they will "truly miss him and that they will always be thinking about him."

Another tribute was left by Abi who said that "words could not describe the loss."

She also left some polos with her tribute as a reminder of their time together and how he "used to mock her for her teeth."

St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Vicarage Close, Aylesford, opened its doors to mourners on Friday.

Churchwarden Aline Ongley, 72, said: "We had an open invitation for anyone who wished to come in, say a prayer, light a candle or just have a chat.

“More than 70 people came wanting to pay their respects.

“What the family must be feeling, you can’t imagine right now.

“Everyone’s thoughts and prayers at the church are with them.”

A local barber of the village said: "I had younger customers who said they knew him, I assume from school, and they talked about how he was always helping at the school and that he was nice lad.

"Not one person could say a bad word about him and everyone who came in was praying he was found ok."

In the village of Eccles, members of the Methodist Church have also paid their respects leaving a series of tributes outside their doors.