The family of teenager Ben Savage, who died after falling into the River Medway, have paid tribute to him publicly for the first time, ahead of his funeral.

The popular 18-year-old from Strood has been described as the “go-to” man if you had a problem, who always knew the right thing to say.

His parents have said they will never get over the tragic way he died.

The former pupil of Holmesdale School, Snodland, went missing on December 6 last year after a night out at the Tap n Tin in Chatham.

Following an eight-week search, Ben’s body was found in the River Medway, near Rochester Bridge, on February 1.

His mum, Tara, said: “Ben has left a massive void in a lot of people’s lives, especially ours as his parents, and his brother’s.

“He was a creature of habit. At certain times throughout the day or evening we find ourselves still expecting him to walk through the door or pop into the lounge to ask us how he looked before going out with his friends.”

Ben was looking forward to his first “boys” holiday in Magaluf this summer and had planned to start driving lessons.

The family were looking forward to a special Christmas, following the arrival of Ben’s niece, who was born just three weeks before he went missing.

Ben loved Christmas, and before he died, he had he had already bought and wrapped all his Christmas presents.

Mrs Savage said: “Ben was overwhelmed by becoming an uncle. When he found out the news that baby Laila had been born, the news immediately went on Facebook and his Instagram.

“Ben was looking forward to spending time with his niece and seeing her grow.

"It is heart-breaking knowing that Laila will never meet her uncle Ben.”

Ben loved cars and had completed a car repair course at MidKent College in Maidstone.

He also loved music, films and going to the gym. His favourite subjects at school were maths and art.

Mrs Savage said: “Ben was dinky as a boy, a little cheeky chappy. He was always happy, friendly and the joker at school. Everywhere Ben went, he always made lots of friends.”

His dad, Martin, said: “Ben had the ability to make people feel comfortable.

"We have been told he was the ‘go-to man’ if you had a problem, he would always say the right thing to make the situation better. We would describe Ben as a social butterfly.

“Wherever he went, he always made acquaintances. He had many friends.”

Mrs Savage said: “We will now never see Ben become part of a relationship and get married and maybe have a family of his own.

“As a family we will never get over Ben’s passing and the tragic way in which it happened.

"The support from family, friends, the multi-agencies that were involved in the search and the public has gone a long way to give us strength to continue.

“What we would like to advocate, not only to young adults but to anyone who goes out for an evening until the early hours of the morning, to please stay together, go home together, share a cab.

“Hopefully this will then lessen the chances of this kind of tragedy happening again.”

Ben’s funeral will be held on Monday at Strood Cemetery, Cuxton Road, from 10am.

His friends will be following Ben’s funeral car on foot as it makes its way from his home in Sycamore Road to the cemetery.

His parents have requested family flowers only and instead suggested donations to RNLI and Kent Search and Rescue – some of the teams who were involved in the round-the-clock search for their son after he went missing.

They have also asked mourners to wear a little red or blue. Red was chosen because it was Ben’s favourite colour, and blue hearts have been used on the Find Ben Facebook page.

After the service, a celebration of his life will be held at The George Vaults in Rochester High Street.