TRIBUTES have been paid to York student Megan Roberts, after police confirmed the body found in the River Ouse was that of the missing 20-year-old.

Megan's body was found in the river on Sunday, six weeks after she went missing after a night out in York.

Her mother and father both today paid tribute to their “wonderful, kind and loving daughter”.

Jackie Roberts, Megan’s mother, thanked the police, fire service and public for their help searching for Megan, and said her daughter would be greatly missed.

She said: “We would also like to thank everyone who has offered support and comfort during this painful time.

"Megan was an intelligent, talented and beautiful person whose kindness and sense of humour will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her.”

Jason Roberts, Megan’s father, also paid tribute to his daughter, saying: “Megan was a wonderful, kind and loving daughter who will be missed by many.”

Dozens of volunteers took to the streets of York with the charity Missing People in January, to raise awareness of Megan’s disappearance, and police divers and boat search teams took to the Ouse close to where she was last seen.

Megan was from Wetherby but lived in Clifton. After her disappearance, friends set up a Facebook page - Help Find Megan Roberts - which was followed by thousands of people, many of whom left messages of support to her family.

Superintendent Phil Cain, Safer Neighbourhood Commander for York, said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with Megan’s family at this extremely difficult and very sad time.

"This tragedy has touched many people including Megan’s friends, fellow students at York St John University and the people of York and we extend our sympathies to them at this time."

Professor David Fleming, Vice Chancellor of York St John University where Megan studied Fine Arts said she would be missed by her friends and tutors, who were being offered support.

He said: “Megan was a bright enthusiastic student, with a love of painting. She showed dedication to her studies and was popular with her fellow students as well as by all staff who met her and had the pleasure of working with her.

“She shared an area of the Art studios with a group of close friends who shared many of her interests in art and life, often mixing the two while working together on their creative projects in the evening. She will be sorely missed by all within the Fine Arts team and across the wider university community.”

Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, said: “This is extremely tragic news and my thoughts and sympathies are with Megan’s family and friends, who must now begin to come to terms with the loss of a young woman with the world at her feet.”

Megan had gone missing in the early hours of January 23, after a night out with friends. Her body was found by a member of the public about 100 metres upstream from the Ship Inn at Acaster Malbis, at about 3.25pm on Sunday.