Detectives investigating the unexplained death of Wirral teenager Hayley Holmes are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of her boyfriend Robbie Crofts.

Hayley's body was found on the beach at Fort Perch Rock in New Brighton, Wirral at 7am on Monday, August 29.

A post mortem examination established the cause of death as drowning.

A facebook page "Find Robbie Crofts" has been created by a relative of the young man, deperate for him to make contact.

Robbie was last seen by his parents at around 8pm on Sunday.

The 21-year-old was Hayley's boyfriend and detectives believe the pair had spent Sunday together in Liverpool city centre.

A pair of women's sandals and a pair of men's Converse trainers were found close to where Hayley's body was discovered by a dog-walker on Monday morning, along with a mobile phone.

Detectives strongly believe the trainers and phone belong to Robbie and the sandals were Hayley's.

They are extremely concerned for Robbie's safety and welfare and are appealing for anyone who has seen him since Sunday night to get in touch.

Detective Inspector Rachel Wilson from Birkenhead CID said: "We are growing increasingly concerned for Robbie's wellbeing and would appeal for anyone who has seen him to urgently get in touch.

"We now know that Robbie and Hayley were together on Sunday night and had spent the day at the Mathew Street music festival in Liverpool before returning to Robbie's home in New Brighton for a short while.

"They were not seen by friends or family after around 8pm, but some of their belongings have been found on the beach, near to where Hayley's body was found.

"We are understandably very concerned about Robbie, as are his family, and we would appeal for anyone with any information to get in touch."

Robbie, who is from New Brighton, is of stocky build and around 5ft 8ins, with blue eyes and short black hair.

Headteacher Patricia Young of Upton Hall, where 17-year-old Hayley was a student, paid an emotional tribute to the "bright" student.

Ms Young said: "Hayley was a bright, beautiful girl with a bubbly personality and so much potential to fulfil.

"Hayley was also a former member of the school council, with a real zest for life and a desire to look after others.

"She should have been returning to school next week to start her final year at Upton and begin applying to university. She was looking forward to all the special events planned for the year ahead.

"Her friends and teachers are deeply shocked and our hearts go out to her family who are so very proud of her."

More than 7,000 people joined a Facebook remembrance group for Hayley as news of her tragic death spread.

Members of the group paid tribute to the “beautiful” teenager as the “life and soul of the party.”

One heartbroken friend wrote: “Me and the girls are coming to say our goodbyes to you tonight baby girl, the life and soul of our party, how will it be the same without you?

"You will always have a place on our hearts and you will always be our best friend, and I'm just so happy I got to spend yesterday with you, our one last day.”

Another said: “I’m refusing to believe that this is true - young girl who had made such an impact on everyone’s lives.

"I've woken up thinking that this was all a horrible, sick, joke that someone has started. But it's not, it's reality, I genuinely am refusing to believe that God has taken you - taken one of the best! I will always love you and I will always miss you, Hayley.”

The group was also flooded with messages from mourners who had never met Hayley, with one person writing: “I didn't know you, chick but it’s so sad when somebody so young and beautiful is taken so suddenly. My thoughts are with your family at this sad time.”

Anyone with information should call Birkenhead CID on 0151 777 2263 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.