A GROOM-to-be from Leigh who died after being pulled from a Liverpool dock after celebrating his stag do has been named.

Dale Joint, aged 24, a father-of-one, died after hitting his head while jumping near moored boats in the Salthouse Dock on Saturday night.

He had been out celebrating at some of the popular bars in the Albert Dock with two friends, also from Leigh.

Mr Joint, who worked at Asda in Leigh, slipped in between two boats and hit his head but did not surface, his family said.

He is believed to have been due to get married to his fiance, Katie Marie McNamara, in the next two weeks.

Miss McNamara was too upset to speak to The Bolton News.

His aunt, Gaynor Isherwood, said on Facebook: "Taken too early the much loved soulmate of Katie and amazing father to Amelia. Our darling and funny nephew. Can't believe it. Heartbroken. Tragic. Love you to heaven and back."

She added: "Dale was on his stag do in Liverpool, due to be married in two weeks.

"He thought he was jumping onto something near the boats but slipped in between and hit his head and never came up again."

Mr Joint's football team, Leigh Genesis, also paid tribute to him.

On social media, Twitter user @JonnyD23 said: "Minute silence at football today for a former team mate, work colleague and good friend. Rest in peace pal, thoughts with the Joint family."

Police, firefighters and paramedics were called at 9.45pm to reports of three men in the water in the dock, near to the Echo Arena, on the River Mersey.

Firefighters were able to rescue two of the men, but Mr Joint's body was recovered after an "extensive" search, police said.

He was later pronounced dead at the city's Royal Liverpool University Hospital. His family have been informed, and the matter has been referred to the coroner.

Merseyside Police has now launched an investigation, and is appealing for witnesses.

A spokesman said: "Merseyside Police can confirm that the 24-year-old man who died following an incident at Salthouse Dock on Saturday, 22 August 2015, is Dale Joint."

Anyone with information is being asked to call Merseyside Police on 0151 777 4065.