The holidaymaker who lost his life after being swept into the sea at Loe Bar on New Year’s Day has been named.

Tributes have been paid to Harry Swordy by friend Tom Luddington on his blog.

Mr Luddington said: “Harry was such an amazing character, so full of life, warmth and plans for the future. He will be so missed.”

His friends are calling on the Met Office to rename the storm, named by the US media as Hercules, as “Storm Harry” in memory of Mr Swordy.

“It feels right that a legend begin about wonderful Harry, that he danced up the biggest storm ever, barefoot in the sea,” added Mr Luddington.

Mr Swordy was described as a professional story teller whose stories were “full of beauty, wonder”, “clever and moving.”