HEARTFELT tributes were today paid to a Suffolk man who was found dead in France a year after going missing.Christopher Lipscombe, a former county champion at tennis and squash, was last seen at his home in a small mountainous village near the town of Carcassonne, in the south of France, on December 10 last year.

HEARTFELT tributes were today paid to a Suffolk man who was found dead in France a year after going missing.

Christopher Lipscombe, a former county champion at tennis and squash, was last seen at his home in a small mountainous village near the town of Carcassonne, in the south of France, on December 10 last year.

Last week his family received the devastating news that a body found in undergrowth around four kilometres from his house has been identified as his.

Today a number of friends of Mr Lipscombe paid tribute to him.

Tony Lennard, of North Carolina in the USA, said: “I was very sad to hear the news from my father in England that the body of 'Lippo' was found in France.

“Lippo gave of his time very generously when I was an aspiring squash player.

“For several years we would play every Sunday and he became my mentor in the early days.

“In later years he was always very encouraging of my squash pursuits and was always available to share a glass of red.”

Tony Bayley, of Rowarth Avenue, Kesgrave, said: “Very sad to see that Chris had passed away.

“I have fond memories of old school days at St Josephs.

“May he rest in peace.”

Meanwhile Geoff Harper, who knew Mr Lipscombe when he worked in Suffolk, said: “I would like to express my sadness at the news of the death of Chris Lipscombe.

“I had known him for many years and knew he intended to retire early to France learning the language on tapes he bought.

“His relaxed, friendly nature was supported by a great dry sense of humour and he was respected by all who met him in our field of work.

“We shall miss him.”

Mr Lipscombe went missing from his home in the village of Pradelles Cabardes, which has a population of just 160 people and sits at the foot of the Pic du Nore, the highest mountain in the region's Black Mountain range, on December 11, 2006.

Born in Felixstowe he spent much of his life in Ipswich and worked for a period as a policeman in Lowestoft.

He is former a county squash and tennis champion, a top golfer and was ranked the number one table tennis player in Suffolk at under-18 level.

Mr Lipscombe's body is likely to be returned to the UK by the end of the month, with a funeral service expected to take place in January.

Would you like to pay tribute to Mr Lipscombe? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk