The heartbroken family of a popular tattoo artist who died suddenly this week have thanked well-wishers.

Dozens of tributes from friends have been paid to Ben Seed, whose body was found at a house in Thanet on Monday.

Mr Seed, 30, worked at a tattoo studio in Margate and was a well-known man around the town.

His mother, Gail, spoke today to thank people for their tributes and messages on behalf of her and his brothers and sister, Dan, Jamie, Jake and Amber.

She said: "I just wanted to thank everyone for their tributes. He's got so many friends and we can't thank everyone individually.

"We don't know anything about what happened. It's been such a shock and still so raw."

Ms Seed said it was too hard to speak about her son but hoped to announce details for his funeral soon.

The father worked at Reaperz and was described by customers as a great artist while friends said he would be hugely missed.

He has been described as a "funny and sweet guy" and a "great artist" in tributes shared online.

Rob McNally, one of his best mates, said: "I can't believe this has happened. Rest in peace brother. Still in shock."

One of his customers, Lisa Barnes-Wing, said he was a "true gentleman" and had the tattoo he did for her as a reminder of him.

Mr Seed's body was found at a property in Ethelbert Crescent in Cliftonville at 5pm on Monday.

Pictures have been shared of his work on the Reaperz Facebook page in tribute to his work.

Hannah McKinnon said: "Ben did a correction on a tattoo I had done elsewhere that I hated and spent forever with me designing it. Such a funny guy and so sweet too."

Ruth Tollington added: "Ben did all my tattoos on my arm an amazing artist he will be sadly missed RIP BEN."

Rik Stevenson wrote: "Don't know what to say he was a nice guy and an amazing artist RIP my friend"

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

A police spokesman said: "Police were called to Ethelbert Crescent, Margate at 5pm on Monday, 11 February following a report that the body of a man in his 30s had been found.

"Officers attended and the man’s death is not being treated as suspicious."