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Tom Dingle, 19, was tragically found dead by a walker on Christmas Day (Image: Lancashire Police)

The family of a university student who was tragically found dead in woodland on Christmas Day have paid a heartbreaking tribute to the ‘incredibly caring young man’.

Tom Dingle, 19, was reported as missing during the early hours of December 13 last year. At the time, his mum said he was in a ‘vulnerable state of mind’. He vanished from the Appley Bridge area, near Wigan.

A number of appeals were shared following his disappearance, including CCTV footage showing Tom’s last known movements in Appley Bridge. Having left Stonemill Rise at 12.30am, a clip shows Tom walking along Mill Lane.

Lancashire Police conducted a major search for the 19-year-old, who was a Philosophy student at Lancaster University. His body was later tragically found in woodland off Lees Lane, in Dalton, by a walker on Christmas Day. His death is not being treated as suspicious.

His family said a final farewell at a private funeral service on Wednesday (January 21) and have since set up a fundraiser in his memory for the Royal British Legion, a charity close to their hearts. The family said Tom wanted to join the join the Para’s branch of the army once he completed his degree.

Paying tribute, his family said: “Tom was an incredibly intelligent and caring young man who had his whole life ahead of him. Tom’s death has left a hole in our hearts which will never be filled.

“Christmas, and life as a whole, will never be the same without our Tom. To honour Tom’s memory, we as a family and Tom’s friends wish to raise money for the Royal British Legion. This is a charity very close to us, and we know it is what Tom would have wanted.

“Finally, we wish to thank the police, the volunteers from Mountain Rescue and all the people of the community and beyond for their incredible help and support.” Donations can be made online here.

Addressing a press conference during the search for the 19-year-old, Tom’s mother Susan Dingle said the Lancaster University student ‘had all his future mapped out’ but was ‘in a vulnerable state of mind’ following a bereavement. She described the family as ‘very close’, adding: “We do everything together.”

Tom was a member of Bowland College while studying at Lancaster University. Following his death, Bowland College posted a tribute to Tom on social media, saying: “We are deeply saddened to share that a tragic update has been provided by Lancashire Constabulary in relation to the search for the missing Bowland College first year student Tom Dingle.

“His death will be a tremendous loss to friends and staff members who had the privilege to get to know him during his time at the University, and the Bowland community are with those affected by this sudden loss.”