Colleagues of a York man who was found dead in his car today spoke of their shock and sadness at the loss of a good friend.

Shane Leech, 28, of Aldershyde, Dringhouses, York, had been missing for three days when his body was found in his Volvo car, parked near Potter Hill Bank, on the Hovingham Estate.

Staff at the Dean Court Hotel, in York, where Shane had worked as a waiter, were told of his death by a friend.

David Brooks, general manager of the hotel, said: "He was delightful. There are still a few of his friends here and they were shocked and saddened to hear of his death because he was a really nice guy. He was very much customer services orientated because he was soft-natured, and always had a smile.

"He joined the post office after leaving here so he used to pop in now and again in his new role. It's quite a shock."

Meanwhile colleagues at the Leeman Road mail centre, where Shane had worked for the past two-and-a-half years, were also said to be shocked and saddened by his death.

A spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with his family."

Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death, and an inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday.

Updated: 11:21 Wednesday, April 18, 2001