EMOTIONAL tributes were paid to Saltcoats boy Jamie Cannon on Sunday as friends and relatives gathered in a last send-off for the late teen.

A balloon release in Stevenston formed part of the weekend event as the community came together to remember the 19-year-old.

Candles and flares were also lit, with one balloon from his parents and siblings simply saying: “Sleep tight son.”

Messages of sympathy have flooded in in recent weeks following the devastating news that a body found in the Ardeer area on February 26 was that of the teenager.

Jamie had been missing from home since May last year and his mum, Lynn, thanked those who have offered support during that time.

Writing on a Go Fund Me page earlier this month, she said: “It is with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes as I write this, sadly Jamie was found on February 26, 2022. Not the outcome we all hoped for.

READ MORE: Police confirm body in Ardeer is missing Saltcoats teen

“The family would like to thank each and every single person for their support over the last nine months and the continued support you are all giving them now too.

“Sleep tight handsome in the arms of the angels. Jamie will be forever 19.”

Toni McGovern, who helped organise Sunday’s event having previously lived next door to Jamie and his family in Saltcoats, said those who have followed the search for answers over the last 40 weeks have “become good friends in sad circumstances”.

She told the Herald: “People that had never met have all created a bond together that no-one will truly understand.

“We were a team and when we all received the devastating news that Jamie had been found it hit us hard but I knew I still needed to do something, anything except pester the family.

“So, my last thing to do for Jamie and his family was a community balloon release.”

READ MORE: Family of missing Saltcoats man issue fresh statement as search for 26-year-old goes on

Toni said she was pleased to see the Three Towns community coming together to say a final goodbye to “the boy that touched so many hearts”.

She added: “It was an amazing turnout we received from all the community and everything went as well as to be expected.

“I will continue to be there for the Cannon family as much as I can in any way I can.”

Police previously confirmed that the death was not being treated as suspicious.

A spokesperson added: “The family have requested privacy and our thoughts remain with them at this time.”

More than £5,000 has now been donated to the online fund-raiser to help support the family in covering funeral costs.

Around 400 donations have been received so far; to add yours, search for gofundme.com/f/Jamie-Cannon-Missing and click ‘donate now’.