by Hayley Robinson and Helen Geraghty

Tributes have been paid to a former Sittingbourne teacher who has died after falling into a ravine on the south Indian Ocean island of Reunion.

Carl Davies is thought to have been walking at the foot of mountains close to Saint-Denis River when the accident happened last Wednesday.

It is believed the former Royal Marine was working as a security consultant in the region's battle against piracy.

Jerome Talpin, a reporter at local newspaper Le Journal de l'ile de la Reunion, said he understood the 33-year-old had been traveling by boat before the accident.

Mr Davies had worked as a teacher at Sittingbourne Community College.

It's understood he left his Sittingbourne home at the beginning of the month to take up a job on the French-administered island.

Hundreds of messages have been posted by friends and family on a Facebook page entitled R.I.P Carl Davies.

One message reads: "Respectable, inspirational and a privilege to have known, a life full of achievements, serving Queen and country, schools and charities, someone to aspire to.

"A big smile and a big heart, sadly lost but never forgotten, a wonderful man."

Mum Maria, who works at Asda in Sittingbourne, responded: "I could not have described my son any better. Thank you."

A message from his nan said: "Can't believe we won't ever see you again, will miss you so very much."

Mr Davies, of Harrier Drive, left the Royal Marines in 2005 after active service in Iraq.

He then worked as an instructor for the British Legion-funded charity Skill Force - teaching life and survival skills to under-achieving children and those with low self-esteem, at Sittingbourne Community College.

See this Friday's Sittingbourne Messenger for more tributes.