"It's just like a light has gone out," is how a grieving Colden Common mother described the death of her son.

Laurence Hallmann (23) drowned during a late-night swim off the Greek Island of Levkas, in the Ionian Sea.

Greek police have ruled out any foul play and an autopsy confirmed that Laurence, known to family and friends as "Larry", had died by drowning.

His death, days before his 24th birthday, has shocked the community, and his mother, Frances, said she has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of grief at the loss of her son.

Larry was missing for 10 days before his body was found. There was a large-scale search by the Greek authorities and the Hallmanns were notified of his death last Monday.

A team from the Metropolitan Police, who have flown to Greece for the start of the Olympic Games, are helping his family with the formal identification and legal processes.

An inquest will be opened into his death when his body is returned to the UK in the next few days.

A former pupil at Colden Common Primary School, Kings' School and Peter Symonds' College, Larry was a keen windsurfer, skateboarder, sailor and kitesurfer.

He worked in The Old Gaol House pub in Winchester, before completing an HND course in outdoor education at Falmouth College, in Cornwall, where he achieved eight distinctions. He had just begun working as an instructor in the resort of Nidri, on Levkas.

His death is a huge loss for his mother, sister, Julia (21) and his father, Peter, who is a teacher at Wildern School in Hedge End.

Speaking from her home in Tees Farm Road, Colden Common, Mrs Hallmann said: "He was so enjoying life and was just so happy and excited about going to Greece. He loved outdoor activities and was determined to be the best teacher ever. He loved being with people and was a total social animal.

"You couldn't miss him and when he walked into the room, the lights went on and a friend of his said the volume was turned up, too. It is just like a light has gone out and life will be a lot quieter without him."

His father, Peter, who is divorced from Frances, issued a statement, saying: "Laurence was passionate and caring and had a keen sense of fun. He was a son any father would have been deeply proud of. I have lost a son and a good friend."

The family is setting up a website, www.agentlarry.co.uk, which they hope will be up and running within the next week. Friends and other family members are invited to post and share their stories, songs and photos of Larry.

The funeral is provisionally booked for Friday, August 20th, at Southampton Crematorium, followed by a celebration of his life, for which a venue has yet to be confirmed.

Anyone wanting information about this can call family friend, Marilyn Michalowicz, on 07729 033674.