VISITORS to one of the region's beauty spots have been urged to put safety first after a man fell 60ft to his death.

Daniel Davies, 30, from Jarrow, South Tyneside, died when he fell from the top of High Force waterfall, in Teesdale, County Durham, on Sunday.

Mr Davies, known as Dan to his friends, was visiting the waterfall, the most powerful in England, with his partner, Karen Fegan, to collect rocks for their new tropical fish tank.

Police believe Mr Davies was reaching to pick up a stone when he lost his balance and slipped over the edge of the waterfall, near Middleton-in-Teesdale.

Mr Davies, who worked at the Nissan factory in Washington, Wearside, lived with Miss Fegan in Lambton Terrace, Jarrow.

On Sunday evening, more than 30 rescuers spent several hours searching for Mr Davies.

They found his body at the foot of the falls at 10.15am on Monday.

Sergeant Ed Turner, of Barnard Castle police, asked visitors to the area to be vigilant.

He said: "We would encourage anybody who is walking in places which could be dangerous, such as High Force, to use their common sense.

"If they are somewhere which could lead to them injuring themselves or worse, they should think about what they are doing.

"People should stick to paths wherever possible, too."

Yesterday, Miss Fegan paid tribute to her partner.

She said: "Daniel was just getting his life together in the way he dreamed.

"He was starting to settle down with myself and my two children and making plans for the future - marriage, a new house and holidays. He felt comfortable and safe for the first time in many years.

"He had also just started to see his own daughter, Kaitlin-Lea, after a long absence, which made him so happy that he could be part of her life again.

"He had just got his passport and driving licence and wanted to see the world.

"He loved his family very much -mum Wendy, dad Ian, sisters Melanie and Paula, and especially his younger brother Anthony."

Raby Estates, which owns and maintains High Force, was unavailable for comment yesterday.

An inquest into Mr Davies' death will be opened in Crook, County Durham, on Thursday.