MORE tributes have been paid to a popular musician found dead at a Bournemouth beauty spot earlier this week.

Rob Bawdon, a former member of popular band Lady Winwoods Maggot, was found dead at Hengistbury Head on Tuesday morning.

Hundreds have taken to social networking sites to speak of their grief at Mr Bawdon’s death.

Police were called to grassland near Solent Beach at around 6.20am after a member of the public found the body.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Bawdon was a leader of the 47th Braggers Wood Explorers, part of the Christchurch District Explorers.

A spokesperson from Lady Winwoods Maggot said: “We are all deeply shocked.

“Rob was a major part of our lives whilst he was with the band. Since leaving, we had kept in touch, he regularly joined us onstage and it is difficult to deal with the fact that we will never see him again.”

Others have taken to the band’s Facebook page to pay tribute.

Gemma Barber wrote: “My heart goes out to each one of you who feels this awful loss”, while Kathy Kiss added: “Lost for words for once.

“Heartbreaking news. Gone too soon.”

Many have also contacted the Daily Echo with their memories of Mr Bawdon.

Corinne Chidgey, who knew him for 13 years, said: “We went from teenagers to adults working together and everyone that knows him is finding this hard to process.”

She called Mr Bawdon a “very intelligent man”, adding that he was a “true gentleman”.

Parents Stephanie and Dennis, of Avon Road West in Christchurch, are said by friends to be “devastated” by their loss. It is expected that an inquest into Mr Bawdon’s death will open on Tuesday morning.

The results of a postmortem examination will be given then.

Several bouquets of brightly-coloured flowers had been laid at the scene.

One card, signed Ray and Kim, paid tribute to ‘The best damn banjo player in heaven’, while another, from Claire and Rob, read: ‘Fly high fella, hope you find your peace now’.