'The hardest part for me is not having closure'

Ben Garland went missing on the island of Ibiza during a storm in 2020

Family and friends of are remembering a "one of a kind" man five years on since he went missing .

Ben Garland from Southwick in Wiltshire, is believed to have been swept out to sea during a storm in Ibiza, where he was working in 2020.

His father Mark Garland said he still gets messages from people telling him they are "still thinking" about his son, who he described as a very popular person.

"Ben was my best friend. The hardest part for me is not having any closure," Mr Garland said.

Mr Garland, who was 24 years old when he went missing, had been taking photographs during a storm and despite extensive searches, only his watch was found with a damaged strap.

Mark Garland and other family members and friends made trips to Ibiza to look for Ben

His father said his son was a "one of a kind" type of person.

"I still get messages today from people telling me they're thinking of Ben and how important Ben was in their lives and how he'd helped them through dark situations," he said.

"If you knew him you'd understand what I'm saying, if you ask anyone who knew him I don't think anybody would have a bad word to say about Ben."

Mr Garland found Ben's watch with a damaged strap during a search of the area.

Ben's watch was found on the island but there was no trace of him

During the search he was eventually advised to go home and told the operation would be "scaled back"

"I think it was the third week, but [they said] they wouldn't give up and they said that during their routine patrols of the island they would still be looking.

"But obviously, after five years now, I don't think there's any chance that they would find him now.

"It's one of the toughest things I will ever deal with in my life," added Mr Garland.

He will take part in an annual memorial motorcycle ride out on 16 August.

He has also set up a Facebook page where people have been encouraged to light a candle and share their memories.