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We will be having a private woodland burial for Josh this Sunday, away from the Stone area.

There will also be a separate memorial service in celebration of Josh's life. Family and friends have been invited to this; we do not wish to exclude, just to keep numbers to manageable levels for the venue.

If anyone would like to attend the memorial service please let me know by private message, provided we can accommodate numbers we will then advise details.

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Although we have not yet made any firm decisions with regards to a project or charity, we have decided we would like to create a new project to honour Josh's memory. Some of the ideas on this group have been amazing, and have really given us a lot to consider. We are in the process of creating a Just Giving page to start this process off and will post a link once ready.

We understand that people wish to place flowers for Josh; we feel the holly tree he chose is most suitable for this - particularly now there is somewhere to light a candle. The place we have chosen for him to rest is a beautiful natural woodland with native plants and wonderful views; perfect for Josh.

Josh's body was found on 20/11/16. While his family had always expected this outcome it is still always a shock to lose someone you love ( I speak from experience) and on Sunday the family and some of the searchers and well wishers took a walk to the spot he was found and laid tributes and planted flowers. Such a sad story from beginning to end but at least now the family can lay him to rest and mourn in their own time. I could not make it on Sunday because of my dog walking duties, but I did go today and it was just so sad.

Some of the many tributes paid to Josh yesterday 20/11/16 This story has touched so many people, with almost 10,000 people joining the facebook page. May Josh now rest in peace. xx

The mother of Joshua Smith today paid tribute to her 'lovely, caring son' after his body was discovered following a major 25-day search.

Hopes of finding the 27-year-old alive faded when he was spotted by members of the public in a field off Meaford Road, Stone, on Saturday.

Now his family have joined more than 100 well-wishers for a walk in Joshua's memory, tracing his final footsteps and laying flowers and trinkets at the site where he was found.

Mum Sara Buckley, aged 49, from Stone, said: “He was the most lovely, caring son I could ever have. He didn't want to upset other people or talk about how hard he found life. He just cared about everybody else."

Joshua had last been seen alive on October 25 when he left his family home in The Crossings. But he never turned up at work at nearby Aston Marina.

It sparked a huge search operation, with Joshua's sister Hannah Buckley, other members of the family, and many of Sara's colleagues at Staffordshire University spending hours combing canal towpaths, fields and other possible routes.

Police also scanned CCTV footage to help work out the direction of his last journey.

Stepfather Andy Buckley, aged 46, described Joshua's death as 'tragic'.

He said: “He suffered for a long time with depression. Even knowing that he was suffering, it does not prepare you for events like this.

“He was a great lad and a caring person. He would help anybody."

Tributes have continued to flood in on The Sentinel's Facebook page.

Annie Lowe posted: "Followed this story from day one. Although I never knew him. I knew he was loved by so many. Our thoughts are with Josh's family and friends. This is so sad to hear. God bless Josh. R I P."

Colin Beardmore said: "Josh, followed your story, although we never knew you we loved you, rest in peace Josh. To your family, we feel your pain."

Deb Smallwood posted: "Been following this story, although I didn't know Josh, was really hoping for a better outcome and that Josh would be found safe and well. So so sad to be hearing this and my thoughts go out to all friends and family. May you rest in peace Josh -another shining star in the sky X."

Hundreds of well-wishers have paid tribute to Joshua Smith after his body was discovered today following a four-week search.

The 27-year-old, of The Crossings, in Stone, went missing on the morning of Tuesday, October 25, when he was last seen walking to work at Aston Marina.

This sparked a huge search for Joshua, involving Staffordshire Police, his family and friends and concerned residents from across the region.

And it was members of the public, engaged in a search this morning 19/11/16, who found him in the vicinity of the Trent and Mersey Canal, near Stone.

Now more than 600 people have posted messages of support to Joshua's family on The Sentinel's Facebook page.

Leanne Gallimore said: "Josh has touched the hearts of many without most people ever meeting him, including me. His family are amazing and have been so incredibly strong and determined. Not the result everyone wanted to hear as I think everyone had that hope he was still alive, but I am relieved for the family that they can grieve and lay Josh to rest. So, so sad. Sleep tight Josh xx."

Mary Anne Cooke posted: "I am so sorry to hear this. I'm sorry for everyone who knew and loved him, I've followed this and have been hoping and hoping that he would be found safe and if not happy at least alive. Rest in peace Joshua. I hope you find the peace that you sought and that your loved ones find that too at some point."

Jessica Hall said: "It has come as a massive shock. The family of Joshua have shown so much dignity and determination during the last four weeks. I also feel the people of Stone, Staffordshire and further afield have shown how they can pull together and do everything they can to help. My thoughts go out to all the family and friends at this very sad time. RIP Joshua xxx."

Zoe Robinson said: "The family have been through what is a living nightmare these past few weeks and their tenacity and strength throughout this dreadful time and their effort to bring Josh home has been something I admire so much.

"I'm just relieved in finding Josh they can now get a little bit of closure. Josh, you gained your wings far too soon but I hope you're finally free now. You're family have done you so proud and will continue to do so I'm sure. Rest peacefully now darling x."

Kath Hewitt posted: "God bless young man, it's heart-breaking for his family but at least they will have closure, sending our thoughts and prayers for Joshua's family and friends x."

Leane Hayward said: "This is so sad. I was following Joshua's page in hope they were going get some positive news soon but unfortunately the outcome was different, may you rest in peace Josh. The family can now grieve in peace."

Aimée Clarke added: "Very sad news for the area. I was hoping he'd turn up. RIP. Thoughts with the family at this sad time. Time will heal things. You will always have the memories of your time with him xxx."

Staffordshire Police have confirmed a body found by members of the public is that of missing man Joshua Smith.

Officers were called to the scene, in the vicinity of the Trent and Mersey Canal, near Stone, earlier today.

The 27-year-old, of The Crossings, in Stone, had been missing for around four weeks after last being seen walking to work at Aston Marina, in the town, on the morning of Tuesday, October 25.

Huge searches were conducted for Joshua, by police, friends and family and concerned members of the public.

A Staffordshire Police spokesman confirmed a body had been recovered from the scene and enquiries are being made on behalf of HM Coroner.

He said: "This morning, police were called to the vicinity of the Trent and Mersey canal, near Stone, following the report of a body being found by members of the public engaged in a search for Joshua Smith.

"Officers attended and the area is now subject of examination and a body believed to be Joshua has been removed from the scene.

"The family of Joshua have been informed of the situation and are being offered the services of specialist officers during this difficult time. Staffordshire Police are now making enquiries on behalf of HM Coroner.

"Both Joshua's family and Staffordshire Police would again like to thank everyone who has been involved in helping to search for him."

The body of a 27-year-old man who has been missing for four weeks has been found.

Joshua Smith, of The Crossings, in Stone, had not been seen since walking to work at Aston Marina, in the town, on the morning of Tuesday, October 25.

But after weeks of searching from Staffordshire Police, Joshua's family and friends and concerned members of the public, his body was discovered this morning 19/11/16 on a towpath at the side of the Trent and Mersey Canal near Meaford.

Investigations into his disappearance revealed Joshua had walked north alongside the canal towards Newcastle Road, in the Stone, between 9am and 9.15am on October 25. But that was the final confirmed sighting of Joshua.

His sister, Hannah Buckley reported the discovery on the Facebook page set up to help with the search for her brother.

She posted: "Josh has now been recovered. Thank you all for your help and support over the past few weeks."

In the group, friends and members of the public have offered their support to Hannah and the family.

Louise Cockburn posted: "Our thoughts are with you all at this very sad time. May you all have some kind of closure now. RIP Joshua xxx."

Kimberley Southall posted: "This is incredibly heartbreaking, but I'm relieved that you can now lay him to rest and begin to grieve for him. Thinking of you all xx."

Siobhan Banister Gower posted: "My most sincere condolences. May he rest in peace. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss xxx."

We are expecting a a statement from Staffordshire Police shortly. We will update this story with more information when we have it.

Josh is 27 years old, and lives at the Crossings in Stone, nr to Three Crowns Public House. He has lived there for 10 months with our parents, Sara & Andy Buckley. Prior to this they lived in Diamond Close, Meir Heath, where we lived since we were 10 and 11 respectively.

Josh has a part time job in the farm shop at Aston Marina, and has a keen interest in horticulture and nature.

On the morning of his disappearance - Tuesday 25th October 2016 - Josh was due to attend work at Aston Marina but did not arrive. He did not call in sick. He was seen on CCTV on the crossing at 08:34 - we know he did not turn right towards Stone thanks to CCTV on the garage forecourt this covers both sides of the road. We also think he did not turn left thanks to CCTV in Watsons Scrap metal, and the A51 being closed past the Marina. The assumption is that Josh carried on towards the canal. We do not know whether he headed left on the canal towards the marina or right towards Stone town.

Josh regularly attended the Staffs Uni allotment on Leek road in stoke, this has been thoroughly searched.

We know from Josh's internet search history that he purchased a quick acting euthanasia drug, and we believe he took this with him on Tuesday morning. Josh has had one previous suicide attempt in 2012, and has suffered from depression for many years.

CCTV that we know has been searched:
Plume of Feathers Barlaston
Three Crowns stone
Watsons scrap metal
The star inn, Stone
Granvilles square, stone
Stone train station

Josh is a loving, caring person who is very unwell. As a family we have been trying to get him the medical care he needs for some time; but because he has a family, place of work and a loving girlfriend Josh has been deemed low risk by Mental Health services. In the past two months we have known that he was at imminent risk of attempting to take his life, as he had lost hope that he could be well again and his depression consumed him. We have been constant in trying to obtain NHS mental health care, and have been dismissed as emotional and subjective by various GP's and psychologists.

Josh's girlfriend Irene has been an amazing influence and support for him over the past year, as a family we are so grateful he found happiness in her love. Josh has also had a mentor in Dave Allman from the university allotment; a place of safety and hope for him after his last suicide attempt. This is where Josh developed his love of horticulture over the last few years. He has been studying an RHS distance learning course recently.

Josh's phone is a Sony Xperia. Both phone and bank accounts have trackers on to detect if they are used. Neither have been. His passport is still at home. Josh has never watched the programme 'Hunted' and has no survival experience.

Josh and his sister when they were children. Hannah is desperate to find her brother and has the support of hundreds of people, all helping or searching, putting leaflets out. This story has gripped the whole town and surrounding areas.

Some more pictures posted by Hannah tonight. Josh looks so happy in all the pictures. I sure hope he is found soon.

08/11/16

Today marks two weeks since Josh went missing. Each update is more difficult to post, for this reason we will only be posting major search updates on a Friday (to advise of weekend searches) unless there are any major breakthroughs to advise of in the week.

We are aware there are still many areas to cover with posters, if anyone does think of any new areas but does not have access to a printer please continue to ask myself, Momo or post on the group. We are so grateful for and appreciative of the community around us, it's been lovely to see people giving each other lifts, printing off posters, making sure no one is searching alone.

If anyone has any suggestions on new search areas please continue to post, we are currently waiting for the police to provide us with a map of their completed search areas, including CCTV and canal searches. There are new areas of CCTV being reviewed by the police at the moment, these will be crucial to ruling out routes Josh could have taken.

It seems fitting to end today's update with a tribute to the most important person in both of our lives; our beautiful mum. No combination of words does justice to the sacrifices she's made or the love she's given us, so I'm not going to try.

11/11/16

Unfortunately, no news today. We are thinking about new areas to be searched over the weekend and we will share with you all the info by the end of tomorrow. We want to thank you all for the immense support and love you are demonstrating every day. We really appreciate your help and if you can do the following in order to raise awareness in the community we are grateful for it:

Share on your FB wall/profile the white version of the flyer..

Stick a flyer in the car/house/workplace

If you have some time available and want to search please make sure you are safe. If you can walk with some flyers with you and stick them in strategic places such as supermarket,schools, churches, public paths,pubs, cinemas. Posters are available for collection both in Stoke (Staffs uni) and in Stone.

I received several private messages asking me why flyers are so important and I will give you a very simple answer: without sightings of Joshua (clear location) the police and the rescue team cannot help us as they need to know where to search.

If you wish to share info/pictures or you have any doubt please contact us with a private message and we will answer as soon as possible.It is very difficult for us to manage public conversations and much easier to answer directly to the person. Of course, all the main information is shared with the whole group. All your ideas are taken into consideration and we are grateful for sharing them with us.

Tonight my thoughts are for Hannah, a constant source of love and friendship in Josh’s life.

Josh is still out there and we desperately want him back. We are exhausted but very determined in finding him.

Lots of love,

Irene

12/11/16

Today's update, courtesy of mum and Andy who are not social media savvy:

We are so grateful that so many people have been helping us to find Joshua. We know that people have helped in many ways from sharing the Facebook message and raising awareness to putting up flyers and posters and physically searching. At such a difficult and distressing time for us it is a comfort to know how many kind and lovely people there are helping us. We are amazed every day at the kindness of pe...ople supporting us.

This morning CCTV near to the incinerator/Brit Stadium was reviewed with no sign of Josh, narrowing down search areas. So the main focus at the moment is the stretch of the canal between the towpath opposite MG Sanders north to Barlaston. Police are focusing on CCTV footage between these areas to help us narrow this down further and see where he may have got off the canal. We would really appreciate anyone who hasn’t already been approached for CCTV footage that may help us by volunteering this please.

Regarding messages on the group. As time goes on it is harder for us to stay strong and keep focused but we will do so as Josh deserves nothing less. We need the group to help us stay focussed on the main facts and so we do at times need to delete threads that may detract from this. There has been a small number of comments that have been hurtful or ill-considered however we know that overwhelmingly people are being wonderfully supportive and appreciate this. We do gain strength and comfort from the support that people are giving us as well as the fantastic support from our family and friends.

Feeling very grateful to have such support and thinking as always optimistically that we will bring our son home.

Addition from me:
I will start updating the group description this evening, along with areas that have currently been covered and CCTV that has been reviewed. Hopefully this will limit duplication of posts, as the group has grown it's been more difficult to make sure everyone can see relevant details quickly.

For all twitter posts, it's #findjoshua

Update, 18/11/16

Weekend search focus:
CCTV at Leeses Garage in Barlaston rules Josh out having continued this far along the canal. Whilst the police continue to work to rule out the possibility of Josh having caught a train, we have prepared focus areas for this weekend's searches.
There will be a meet at the Three Crowns at 9am tomorrow morning; for those who cannot make this but would like to help search, areas below:

Between MG Sanders and Plume of Feathers (Barlaston), fields and woodland between the canal and the A34.

Additional search locations for anyone not in this area:
Moddershall woods
Barlaston Downs

Map below shows Josh's hypothetical walk along the canal from MG Sanders. As always we are keen for any CCTV in the area shown in the map below which has not already been reviewed/preserved.

For anyone who cannot actively search but would like to assist, putting posters up in any areas of the map below not already covered would be much appreciated.

Many thanks
Hanna

www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.9369012,-2.1711696,15.25z