A Falmouth man has spoken of his fear at being just minutes away from the Orlando bar where 50 people were shot dead.

Ryan Massie was enjoying a night out with friends in a different bar close to the Pulse nightclub, where a gunman opened fire in the early hours of Sunday in what has been described as America's deadliest mass shooting.

The 27-year-old former Falmouth schoolboy, who attended King Charles Primary School and Falmouth School, and whose family still lives in the town, told the Packet: "It wasn't until the next morning when we all had floods of messages from family and friends concerned about me that I found out the extent of what had happened the night beforehand and how close I was.

"It was very scary to know that I was very close. I really feel for all those that where affected and their families as it is such a horrible thing to happen."

Ryan said the time difference made it even harder, as his panicked family and friends were unable to get in touch with him until he woke up the next morning - almost six hours after the news had broken in the UK.

He moved to Orlando four months ago, where he now works in food and beverages at Walt Disney World.

As it was his night off work, he and some friends had gone for a night out.

Ryan said the mood there was sombre, but added: "Everyone has come together and are standing strong together."

He said that thankfully he did not know anyone who had been caught up in the attack.

The bar Ryan was in, Cowboys, has put out a statement sending its "deepest condolences" to Pulse Orlando and The Plaza Live for "the horrific events from this past weekend."

Staff said: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims, families, patrons and first responders. Orlando is an amazing city and we stand strong with the rest of our nightlife family."

They encouraged everyone who wanted to help to donate to the GoFundMe account that had been set up for the victims' families.

The shooter, 29-year-old Omar Mateen, 29, from Port St Lucie in Florida, is believed to have targeted Pulse because it was a gay nightclub.

Approximately 320 people were in the club at the time, with the shooter opening fire at around 2am. Some of those trapped in the club are said to have phoned police from the club's toilets.

At around 5am police drove a truck through the wall of the club in a bid to distract the gunman and rescue the hostages.

A shootout between police and the shooter ended with him being killed.

A total of 50 people, including Mateen, are believed to have been killed, with a further 53 injured.