TRIBUTES have flooded in for a popular musician and Scout leader, whose body was found at Hengistbury Head on Tuesday morning.

Rob Bawdon has been described as an “amazing guy” and a “friend to all”.

Police were called to grassland near Solent Beach at around 6.20am on Monday after a member of the public found the body. His death is not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Bawdon, who worked for Tesco, was also a leader of the 47th Braggers Wood Explorers, part of the Christchurch District Explorers.

Friend Brenda Fry called Mr Bawdon a “true, genuine guy”, adding, “he will be sadly missed by lots of people - rest in peace Rob.”

Mr Bawdon was a former member of popular band Lady Winwood's Maggot.

The talented musician played guitar, banjo and mandolin for the band, as well as singing.

Katherine Casey, manager of local band 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. So long Mate. Lady Winwoods Maggot"

"You want us to tell you what he meant to us. As a musician, as a friend, as a member of our family. I can't even begin to describe how much he did. So I won't try. Because the only person I want to tell, cannot hear me."

Hundreds have also taken to Facebook to remember him.

Cheryl Bastin wrote: “So very sad, amazing guy, amazing musician, lovely friend to all”, while Cormac O'Prey added: “He joins too many good musicians taken long before their time.”

Claire Light said: “Once met, never forgotten. Hope that you can find your peace now Rob.”

A spokesperson for the band called Mr Bawdon “our dear friend and brother in arms”, adding, “Our thoughts go out to all his loved ones and all whose lives were touched by him.”

Others have also spoken of Mr Bawdon's talent as a musician.

Philippa Miles took to Facebook to write: “Rob was an extremely likeable character with awesome talent.”

Bob McNair said: “I am truly shocked, just heard the news.

“How terribly sad. I can't really say any more.”

Pamela Chaytor said: "You were so loved by so many Rob, a wonderful caring man has been taken from us much too soon. Sleep peacefully now xx."

Corinne Chidgey said: "Rob was a good friend of mine. I've known him for 13yrs. We went from teenagers to adults working together and everyone that knows him is finding this hard to process. Rob was an incredibly intelligent man, very few people have I met that could hold a conversation on any manner of subject and use vocabulary that most of us would need to look up in a dictionary afterwards. He was a brilliantly talented musician that could play anything with strings. Literally anything. He would do anything for anyone without question. A true gentleman. In the early days though most people assumed otherwise because of his big earrings and nose studs. He was the walking example of "don't judge a book by its cover". A genuine friend. Funny. Intelligent. A great loss. If only he knew how many people he'd touched, maybe things would've been different. Sleep tight Rob. I don't want to say goodbye."

The Rolls family said: "Such sad news. One of my family's favourite bands at the steam fayre are Lady Winwood's Maggots. We've been going for years and always go to the same marquee every time we go. Special wishes to his family and friends from the Rolls family."

Lisa Cookman said: "Rob was such a genuine guy. He touched so many people's hearts and minds whoever he came into contact with. And is going to be missed by so many."

Tom Whitmore said: "I'm in shock. Worked with you at Tesco. Top bloke. Will be very sadly missed. Taken way too soon. RIP. Sleep tight fella."