THE FAMILY of a Newport boy missing off the Devon coast have paid tribute to their “adorable, precious son.”

Louis Price, 14, went missing during a diving trip with his father off Berry Head, Brixham, last Tuesday afternoon. After the dive, Louis’s father surfaced shortly before his son, but it is believed the weight of his air tanks pulled Louis below the surface again. The search was called off after two days.

In a tribute, Louis’s parents Stephen and Tracey, described Louis’s love of water from an early age.

The tribute said: “Louis started diving lessons, when he was 12 under a brilliant driving instructor, gaining open water diving qualifications in June 2006. He could even handle the boat himself to perfection. He also enjoyed fishing and water skiing.

“Brixham has always been a special place to Louis, from when he was first born. He loved going there at weekends with all his close family around him.”

Mr and Mrs Price said Louis, a pupil at St Julian’s School, has a black belt in karate and has many different interests including films, computer games and music, having taught himself to play the guitar. He discovered his singing talent after appeared as the Tin Man in his junior school production of The Wizard of Oz.

They said: “Louis was very determined at whatever he did. He always had top marks at school with remarks from teachers on all school reports stating that he was a “joy to teach.’”

Speaking to the Argus last week, Steve Marshall, headteacher of St Julians, said he was extremely upset to hear Louis was missing and described him as an “absolutely delightful boy.”

Mr and Mrs Price said: “Louis is such an adorable, precious son who loved life. He loved school and had so many close and special friends. He will be missed so much by his close knit family who loved him so much.”