Tributes paid to two teenage brothers from Dewsbury who drowned in Lancashire sea

TRIBUTES have been paid to two teenage brothers from Dewsbury whose bodies were found after they went missing off the Lancashire coast last weekend.

Muhammad Azhar Shabbir, 18, and Ali Athar Shabbir, 16, got into difficulty in the sea at St Annes along with their cousin while on day trip last Saturday (15).

While the 15-year-old cousin managed to swim ashore and was treated for hypothermia, the bodies of Muhammad Azhar and Ali Athar were recovered last Sunday (16).

A family spokesperson said in a statement:"Everyone is absolutely devastated by what has happened to Muhammad Azhar and Ali Athar.

“The boys were extremely well liked and a promising future has tragically been cut short. We strongly urge everyone to respect the family at this extremely difficult time and allow them the necessary time and space to grieve.No further comment will be made."

Head teacher Samantha Vickers told the BBC: “We're absolutely devastated as a community to lose two of our young men.

"I've been inundated with messages from staff and students alike. These were two really popular young men, intelligent, respectful, well-mannered and family oriented.

"It's a huge loss this, people are really reeling from the shock and finding it hard to believe."

Lancashire Police said, “Our thoughts and condolences remain with them and their friends at this incredibly distressing time.”