THE heartbroken daughter of missing Brierley Hill man Simon Smith has paid tribute to the fishing enthusiast who will be "loved and missed by many".

Mr Smith's body was discovered in a canal, near Meeting Lane, Brierley Hill, on Wednesday, December 28.

The father-of-two, who lived in Yorke Avenue, was last seen on December 3. He had spent the day visiting family but never returned home.

His disappearance sparked a police appeal, which was shared by hundreds of people on social media - something his daughter, Victoria Smith, said the family were grateful for.

She said: "On behalf of my family I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who shared the post and has shown us such kindness and spread such loving words about my dad. We all appreciate it immensely.

"But also a massive thank you to West Midlands Police, who have tirelessly worked on the disappearance of my dad."

Miss Smith added: "Simon was a character, a skilled carpenter and a true fishing enthusiast who will be loved and missed by many."

A West Midlands Police spokesman said the 50-year-old's death was not being treated as suspicious, adding that Mr Smith's family were being supported by specialist officers.