A plaque dedicated to a teenager who took his own life during Storm Eunice has been unveiled at a village park.

Friends, family and staff from Oakwood Park Grammar School paid tribute to Ryan Hughes in Aylesford today.

The 17-year-old was last seen leaving his home in Eccles in February last year.

A poster campaign was launched to try and find the missing teen.

CCTV of Ryan walking along the High Street was captured by businesses.

Police also appealed for help to find him, with the Search and Marine Unit spotted looking in the River Medway along with volunteers from Kent Search and Rescue.

In March, a body was found in the water – which was later confirmed to be the teenager.

An inquest into his death heard how Ryan sadly took his own life.

There was an outpouring of tributes when the tragic news broke, with messages appearing online and flowers being laid.

Today, a plaque was officially unveiled in the park in Aylesford, underneath a tree that had previously been planted for him.

Ryan’s father, Daron, attended the unveiling, alongside head teacher Kevin Moody and Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and Aylesford.

Former students of Oakwood Park Grammar School raised more than £300 for the tribute.

Friends Abigail Greener and Izzy Morse, along with others, held bake sales and collected the funds so they could buy the tree and plaque.

“He doesn’t have a grave, so we didn’t have a place to go and be with him,” Izzy said.

“We can come now and remember him, with all the good memories we had.

“He was so funny, loved gaming, and the highlight of his day was having a bacon roll at break.”

Abigail added: “We were all in the same friendship group. He was a very close friend.

“Ryan was always so cheery – fun to be around.

“Maths was his favourite subject, I think he wanted to do that at university, or geology.”

Student Owen Jenner spent two months collecting dozens of heartfelt messages in school.

“As a group we decided we wanted to do many different things to try and remember Ryan by,” he explained.

“I created a condolences book, to give to Mr Hughes and his family, and I’m very happy that they managed to receive it.

“I’ve known Ryan since Year 7 – in sixth form we would sit next to each other in lots of classes.

“He was a very joyful and bubbly individual.

“Even if you were around him having an off day, he would find someway to make you laugh.”