Tributes have been paid online to a 20-year-old British summer camp instructor who has died in France.

The body Nathan Thackwray, believed to be a former pupil at St Mary’s School, in Menston, was found by police divers in Lake Ardres, near Calais.

Mr Thackwray, who is understood to have lived in Yeadon, was working for tour operator Acorn, which offers adventure holidays in several European countries. He was believed to be off duty when the incident happened and according to French newspaper reports, his body was discovered in the lake at 10.30am on Saturday.

The reports say a search lasting more than five hours had been carried out before Mr Thackwray’s body was found.

He had drowned and accidental death has been confirmed, the French papers are reporting.

Acorn said it was “unable to comment at the moment” about Mr Thackwray or the incident.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: “We are aware of the death of a British national in France on June 30 and we are providing consular assistance.”

Tonight tributes to Mr Thackwray began to appear of social media sites, including Twitter.

Stephanie Knight (?@teffyknight) wrote: “why do people get taken so young? always the best as well. RIP Nathan Thackwray xxxx”, while Bex Lofthouse (?@bexi18) tweeted: “R.I.P Nathan Thackwray, gone too soon aged 20. Far too young.

“Thoughts and prayers go his family xXx”.

Another Twitter user, carolinelouu (?@caroline_louu) said: “Nathan Thackwray. RIP my beautiful. Gone far too soon. Will never forget your cheeky grin. Love you so much. #heartbroken #neverforgotten.”

It is believed Mr Thackwray’s relatives have travelled to France to identify his body.

Acorn, which has headquarters in the Midlands, have been in operation since 1982 and offer trips to school and youth groups in the UK, France, Italy and Spain.