MORE than 100 people were on Saltburn beach for an emotional tribute to a pair of teenagers who died last month.

Many releasing balloons as a mark of respect for the fun-loving pair whose untimely death has brought a community together.The Northern Echo:

The balloons are released. Picture: STUART BOULTON

Alex Yeoman and Harry Watson are believed to be “having a laugh together” when they accidentally fell down the cliffs at Saltburn while taking photographs.

The two 17-year-olds were discovered at the foot of Huntcliff, in Saltburn, east Cleveland, at about 7pm on Friday, March 24.

Harry, a student of St Cuthbert’s Walk, Liverton Mines, who is originally from Dorset, and Alex, of Dundas Street, Loftus, an apprentice joiner, had both attended Brotton’s Freebrough Academy.

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A comforting hug as friends and relatives gather to remember the lads. Picture: STUART BOULTON

Alex's cousins, Dean and Cara Hill, paid tribute to the people who turned out to pay their respects.

Cara said: "We just wanted to give people the chance to say goodbye to Alex and Harry, maybe people can't get to the funeral or they just wanted to come to the beach, it was just so good to see so many people here."

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Thinking of friends. Picture: STUART BOULTON

Members of HM Coastguard were at the beach whilst a RNLI crew were based offshore to witness the balloon release.

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More than 100 people turned out to pay tribute. Picture: STUART BOULTON

Dean added: "We are absolutely overwhelmed the support that we have had from the community. There has been people here that I know well and there are people who I have never seen before but one thing they all have in common is the fact they wanted to pay tribute to them both."

A fundraising campaign has been launched to help the families cover funeral costs and donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/harry-watson

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Baloon release. Picture: STUART BOULTON