TRIBUTES have poured in for a popular man who was found dead in the River Roch near to his home in Bury.

The devastated family and friends of 38-year-old Shafiq Ahmed say his sudden and unexplained death will shake Bury’s Asian community.

Numerous mourners have travelled from across the town to pay their respects for a much-loved and charismatic man who was said to “live life to the max.”

Mr Ahmed’s body was pulled out of the River Irwell, close to Garsdale Close, Bury, at around 6am on Tuesday.

Following the discovery, Mr Ahmed’s brother said he is baffled by what happened to a man so full of life.

Police have ruled out any suspicious circumstances but the cause of death remains unknown.

Fazil Ahmed, aged 42, of Wellington Road, Bury, said: “He was always happy and enjoyed life to the max. He was an enthusiastic footballer, who loved going to gym and was very fit.

“I am very shocked. This is not just a terrible loss for our family but for the whole Islamic community.

“We spent the day together on Sunday, we went to the gym and had a meal and he was his usual happy, jolly self.”

Shafiq Ahmed was last seen on Monday evening when he returned to his home in Grasmere Drive, where he lived with long-term partner, Debbie. Later that evening he went out for a walk but never returned.

On Tuesday morning, police and firefighters were called to the riverbank, just a few hundred yards from Shafiq Ahmed’s home, and his body was removed from the water.

Mr Ahmed’s best friend, Dino Khan, said words could not describe how special his friend was.

Fighting back tears, the 38-year-old said: “Shafiq was a very intelligent, well-loved and charismatic man. There will be thousands of people saddened by what has happened — especially among the Asian community. Everyone will be feeling the loss.”

Shafiq Ahmed was born in Bury in 1970 and quickly became a popular figure in the town’s Muslim community.

He went on to work for himself as a financial advisor and found love with his girlfriend around 15 years ago.

Tragedy struck the family nine years ago when older brother Azhar Ahmed was killed in a bike accident, aged 35.

Speaking about the loss of another brother, Fazil Ahmed added: “They were both so young and that is the biggest tragedy of all.”