TRIBUTES have been paid to the owner of a north Hampshire vineyard who it is feared has been murdered in Indonesia - although police say it could take weeks before they can confirm the body is his.

Keen traveller Charles Cunningham (pictured), boss of Wooldings Vineyard and Winery at Whitchurch, was last heard from on March 23 when he was in Bali.

The 47-year-old was due to return home on April 10 but did not arrive. His mother reported him missing to Hampshire Police five days later.

Inquiries subsequently revealed the body of a white, Western man had been found in a ravine on the island of Lombok on the afternoon of March 28 and indications suggest it is likely to be Mr Cunningham.

The award-winning vineyard is currently being looked after by 21-year-old Whitchurch student Richard Lyne who has worked for Mr Cunningham for the last four years and met up with him on his round-the-world holiday about seven weeks ago in Bali.

"He was having the best time of his life - he was really happy," said Mr Lyne. "He was an eccentric, very outgoing, and you could not help but like him. He was a real character.

"He loved his vineyard so much. He was very proud of it. The best memorial to Charles would be to keep it going."

One of Mr Cunningham's old friends, Bob Lindo, the owner of a vineyard in Cornwall, said they first met in Germany back in 1989 when they were both looking to set up their own vineyard.

Describing Mr Cunningham as a "one-off", he said: "He was a complete enthusiast in everything he did.

He was one of the hardest-working people I've known. He did everything virtually single-handed."

Earlier this week, fearing the worst, North West Hampshire MP Sir George Young paid tribute to Mr Cunningham, who was chairman of Whitchurch Conservatives.

He said: "He was a kind and engaging man with a deep interest in politics and very much part of the Whitchurch community.

"Our thoughts are very much with his mother Daphne. I hope the Indonesian authorities in Lombok bring those responsible for this terrible crime to justice."

One man has been detained by the Indonesian police on suspicion of murder and another person is wanted for questioning.