THE boss of a Glusburn teenager has paid tribute to a 'skilled and hard-working bricklayer who will be missed by all his colleagues'.

Gareth Wooler, director of RN Wooler Ltd builders, of Keighley, said the company would greatly miss Ben Marklew, 19, who died after getting into difficulties in the River Wharfe at Grassington, last night.

Gareth said: "It is a very sad day today. It has been a huge shock to us all. I have worked with Ben on site and he was a really good lad. He'd been with us since he left school and was a very promising bricklayer. He got on well with everyone and was good fun. 

"He was well respected by all who worked with him. He had just finished his bricklaying apprenticeship and had become an excellent tradesman.

"We are all devastated to lose him. He was as good as it gets."

"We want to send our deepest condolences to all Ben's family and friends at this very sad time."