THE body of a young landlord was found in his pub - after locals complained of a smell coming from upstairs.

The village of Sutton is in shock after Jamie Stubbs, 26, was found hanged at The Black Bull in Sutton in the early hours of Wednesday by one of his employees.

The discovery came after drinkers complained of a smell in the pub the night before. It is believed Mr Stubbs had been dead up to 10 days before he was found.

A former soldier who was recognised for his bravery in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Kosovo, Mr Stubbs had taken over the running of the pub around eight months ago.

His girlfriend of three years, Sara Norton, 25, moved into the Bull last December, but left when they split up a few months later.

Mr Stubbs, originally of Skipton, had been missing from the pub, but this was not deemed unusual as he was described as "a loner" who often went away.

It is understood the pub was opened and closed by a manager.

Devastated Sara told the Herald: "He was generally quite happy and jolly most of the time, but not lately. There were problems with a number of things in his life. He was a really soft, caring sort of a person."

One of his closest friends, Gino Derienzo, owner of Bella Napoli in Cross Hills, said Mr Stubbs had told him he was selling up and moving to Spain.

"I hadn't seem much of him over the last couple of weeks, and when I last saw him he seemed okay. We're devastated. He was in a bad way, but I thought he was getting better. He was just a normal 26-year-old lad. He loved cars, clay pigeon shooting and being with his mates."

Tributes have been pouring in and Sutton councillor Stephen Place described him as "a likeable lad, with no enemies who would do anything to help anyone."

Flowers have been laid outside the pub's front door.

Police are not treating Mr Stubbs' death as suspicious and an inquest will be held.