The body found on a volcano in Nicaragua last week has been confirmed to be that of missing hiker Nicholas Roth.

Mr Roth, 28, a former pupil at Haberdashers' Aske's School in Elstree, set out to scale the 4,600ft volcano, La Maderas, with his American companion, Jordan Ressler, on November 17, but the pair never returned.

Two decomposed bodies were found in a ravine inside the crater of the volcano on December 4 by police, but it took extensive DNA tests last week to confirm their identity.

The alarm was raised a week after they set up to scale the mountain by an innkeeper who the men were lodging with.

Nicholas's father Brian, from Totteridge, immediately flew out to the Isla de Ometepe, 60 miles south-east of the capital Managua, to join police, soldiers and volunteers in the search for the missing men.

But the progress of the search was hampered by heavy rain, forcing them to suspend their efforts on the slopes of the volcano just days into their search.

Mr Roth, a lawyer and former Oxford University student, was a pupil at Haberdashers from 1987 until 1994.

Deputy headteacher Simon Boyes said: "Nick was an intelligent and able young man who enjoyed considerable academic success, fully involving himself in all aspects of school life.

"He is fondly remembered by a number of staff as a lively pupil with lots of energy.

"He would typically seek out opportunities that others might see and was happiest when he was at the centre of the action. He gave willingly of his talents and made a significant contribution to the life of the school."

Mr Roth's brother Nigel said that Nick would be sorely missed by all his family and friends.