"We will always love you r'kid": Heartbroken sisters pay tribute to 'beautiful' man tragically found dead in river days after he vanished

The sisters of a 'beautiful' man who was tragically found dead in a river days after he vanished have paid an emotional tribute to him following his death aged 33.

Craig Arron Hodkinson had been reported as missing after he was last seen on Churchgate in Bolton at around 5am last Wednesday (September 13). A number of police appeals were shared including CCTV images of him before he went missing.

However four days later, on Sunday afternoon (September 17), officers searching for Craig found a body in the River Croal. Formal identification later proved it was the missing 33-year-old.

READ MORE Body of missing man found in river in Bolton

READ MORE Forensics and flowers outside tragic woman's home as murder investigation begins

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, his sister Lisa-Marie remembered her 'brilliant' and 'beautiful' brother who was 'loved' by all his friends and family.

"My beautiful baby brother is now at peace. He was a son, a brother and an uncle. He had many friends from Manchester and Bolton and was brilliant. He was never in trouble or caused any trouble," she said.

"All his friends who knew him loved him just as much as his family. He has gone too soon however he is at peace now and flying high looking out for all his family. He is with his family members in heaven.

"We will always love you r'kid. You will always be the golden child of the Hodkinson family."

He is also survived by his younger sister Jade and older sister Claire, who have since set up a GoFundMe page in the hope of raising funds for his funeral.

Craig, who was a Manchester United fan and enjoyed nights out with his sisters at Manchester's Gay Village, had 'so much life to live', with his death leaving his loved ones 'heartbroken',