THE family of a tragic teenager found dead on a beach at Burton Bradstock have paid tribute to their ‘brightest star.’

James Thorner, 16, was found underneath cliffs between Hive Beach and Freshwater after walkers raised the alarm on Monday afternoon.

Police, ambulance and coastguards attended but the Beaminster School sixth former from Lower Townsend in Burton Bradstock was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding James’s death.

His grandfather Jed Hughes, of Walditch near Bridport, told of the family’s shock and devastation.

He said: “It is just very, very stunning, and sad circumstances.

“We are living in shock.

“We can’t express just what a beautiful boy James was.

“As my wife Julia said, from now on when we look up into the stars the brightest one in the galaxy will always be James.

“He was well mannered, witty, funny – you just couldn’t wish for a better grandson.

Mr Hughes said James’s dad Clive, who runs CT Motorcycles in Bridport, and mother Samantha who works at Mountjoy School, were being supported by family and friends.

An elderly couple rushed to the Hive Beach Café to get help when James was discovered and chefs Tim Attrill, 28, and Giles Greening, 24, went with a defibrillator to the scene.

Mr Hughes said he planned to go the scene to thank everyone who helped.

He added: “The paramedics and the coastguards were just amazing as were our police force – we just cannot express the sensitivity with which they have handled this situation.

“It has just been absolutely amazing.”

He added: “James brought such magic and sunshine in his 16 years.

“It was a privilege and a pleasure to have him as my grandson.”

Fellow pupils at the Beaminster School were told of James’s death yesterday.

Headteacher Mike Best said: “He was a lovely lad and we will miss him very much. We knew him for his great sense of humour.

“He was popular with staff and students and cared about others and was a good role model for younger students.”

Mr Best added: “When he described himself he said he was shy, talkative and funny.

“That is probably about right but he was also attentive, willing and enthusiastic and those are all things that reflect what he was like as a person.

“He was a thinker and he cared about things.”

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