Tributes have been paid to a ‘kind and lovely’ man who ‘always left a smile on everyone’s face’.

Bruce Smith, 36, from Weymouth, died in a tragic accident after injuring himself jumping into the sea at Portland Bill.

He was pulled from the water but sadly died in hospital.

Parents Eleanor and Alan said their son was ‘a lovely person, who always had time for others’.

They have also thanked Bruce’s many friends, who have shown an ‘outpouring of love’ since his death on Sunday, September 10.

Bruce was born in Buckland Ripers and accompanied his parents when they sailed to Spain, where he went to school. When he was five the family returned to Weymouth, where he attended Radipole Primary School, Wey Valley and later Thomas Hardye, where he sat his A levels.

After leaving school he worked in various different jobs before becoming a lettings manager.

He was presented with a Royal Humane Society Award aged 19 when he saved someone from drowning in Weymouth Harbour.

Mum Eleanor said: “He loved music. He played bass guitar and used to be in a band. He was just a very caring person.

“We have just felt such love from all of Weymouth since he died – that was something he always used to say, ‘feel the love’. One of his friends said Bruce joined the dots of groups together. Everyone has different circles of friends and Bruce would bring everyone together.”

A keen traveller, Bruce would often visit his parents when they sailed on their yacht, enjoying going fishing and diving with dad Alan, as well as spending time in Thailand.

“He was someone who had a lot of experiences, a lot of stories to tell,” Eleanor said.

But Weymouth was always Bruce’s home.

“He was a harbour boy, he grew up here,” Eleanor added. “He always kept in touch with his friends. He would just make you smile. He would leave a room, and everyone would be smiling.”

Eleanor said her son’s death was an accident, and that he had been having fun jumping into the sea, which he had done before many times.

She added: “I would like to say just how overwhelmed we have been with the love from his – and our – friends. Bruce was friends with the most marvellous young people I have ever had the privilege of knowing.

“The support has been absolutely tremendous. It really has made such a difference.

“Bruce was our only son. We loved him so much. But it has been lovely to see how much everyone else loved him as well.”