A body discovered on a beach on Friday has been identified as that of missing man Grant Ritchie.

Mr Ritchie disappeared on cliffs near Cover Rangers football ground in Aberdeen two weeks ago on his way home from a night out with friends. 

The 20-year-old's disappearance sparked a land, air and sea search operation, with friends and family scouring the north-east coastline for any sign of the popular mechanic. 

Grampian Police confirmed that the body of a man washed up on Balmedie beach on Friday is that of Mr Ritchie. 

The force said his family have been informed. 

Mr Ritchie, from the Torry area of the city, had left a house party in Cove in the early hours of Sunday, January 29, to go for cigarettes with a group of friends, including girlfriend Lisa Stephen.

On the way back, they had decided to walk back along the cliffside. Ms Stephen said her boyfriend had run on ahead of the group and suddenly vanished without a trace. 

In the days following his disappearance, a major search operation was launched involving police, coastguard and an RAF helicopter. His father, Grant Ritchie Snr, also made emotional appeals for information regarding his son's whereabouts. 

More than 4500 people joined a Facebook  page dedicated to finding the missing man, who had recently qualified as a mechanic with Arnold Clark. 

Tributes

Hundreds of tributes have already been paid on social networking sites as news of his death was confirmed. 

Mr Ritchie's best friend Shaun Hanratty said the family and friends were rallying round as they tried to come to terms with the news.