TRIBUTES have been paid to "great person and friend" Stewart Aitken this week, after the 18-year-old, from Wootton Bassett, was found dead on Friday night.

Stewart's body was discovered at a barn in Bradenstoke after a police search for him.

The former Wootton Bassett School student lived in the town with his parents.

He left the school last summer, having taken A-levels in sociology, English and economics and business studies.

As a result, he had earned a place at the University of Stirling, in Scotland, to study sociology.

Stewart's friend Lucy Satchell, 18, attended Wootton Bassett School with him.

She said he had a wonderful personality and would be a great loss to a number of people.

"Stewart was such a great person and friend," she said.

"He was always so caring and loving towards others.

"He was such a laugh to be around, always smiling and joking with everyone around him. I know he will be greatly missed by me and many people from school."

Wootton Bassett School headteacher Chris Montacute said news of Stewart's death had a profound effect on both staff and students in the final week of term before the Christmas holiday. He said Stewart had been an excellent student and was a conscientious young man.

"Stewart was a quiet, sensitive, hard-working student, who completed his education at Wootton Bassett School, achieving some good A-level results," he said.

"This ensured him a place at the University of Stirling, to read sociology.

"All members of the school were shocked and saddened to hear of his tragic death.

"Our thoughts go to his family and friends at this difficult time."

Stewart had been reported missing to police at about 9.30pm on Friday.

Police and community support officers carried out thorough searches of the area.

Stewart's body was found hanged in a disused barn at Clack Hill, Bradenstoke, near Lyneham.

Officers attempted to resuscitate him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said this week there was nothing suspicious about the death and they were not searching for anybody in relation to it.

An inquest, for identification purposes, was opened and adjourned by the Wiltshire coroner on Monday afternoon.

Stewart's funeral will be held at St Bartholomew's Church in High Street, Wootton Bassett at 11am on December 28. The service will be followed by a private family cremation at Kingsdown Crematorium.

Stewart's parents have asked for family flowers only.