ALEX Vincent's parents have spoken of the shock at the sudden loss of their caring and ambitious son.

Speaking at the family home in Stratton, Cirencester the 21-year-old's stepdad Ken Stevens and mum Dawn told how just days before his death their son had seemed happy and told of how he was looking ahead to the future.

The couple last saw Alex last Monday, three days before his disappearance, when he visited them and his adopted younger sister Li-Na, 6.

Mr Stevens said: "He said to me his new job was the best he had ever had and he was looking forward to moving ahead."

Mrs Stevens added: "I had actually stopped worrying about him because he was very focused. He had this job and for the first time he really seemed to have direction and all his plans were working out and coming to fruition."

Alex had worked as a chef since leaving school at 16 for a job at Hunters Care Centre, Cirencester.

Last December he left England to take up a job at a hotel in a Canadian ski resort but returned home in January and just one week later suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle accident.

After two weeks in the Great Western Hospital in Swindon he spent four months recovering at home from two broken collar bones, broken ribs, a broken heel and badly gashed leg.

After his recovery he had been delighted to get the job at the Cotswold Hoburne said Mrs Stevens.

She added: "He had ambitions to run his own catering business. "We spent hours and hours with him telling us what he was going to do and how he was going to set it up."

Aside from his career ambitions Mrs Stevens said Alex had been a keen pool player and computer fan but his greatest talent was with children. He often volunteered to baby sit for friends instead of going out.

She said: "He was very sociable and had friends all over the place. "He loved children but would not spoil them. You could trust him to take them out and be responsible.

"Li-Na idolised him because he was such good fun. He used to chase her round the garden with a water pistol. It was hard to know who was the biggest kid.

"He was very caring, he didn't like to cause me concern. He was very concerned about his sister and her growing up."

The day Alex failed to turn up for work Mrs Stevens went to the caravan he lived in near his workplace.

She said: "The caravan was unlocked, the lights were on and his mobile phone, keys and wallet were on the side. Something must have been wrong because Alex was very reliable."

She still cannot believe what has happened, saying: "I feel total shock and disbelief. I still keep thinking they've made a mistake.

"I don't honestly think any mother can ever recover from the loss of a child."

Alex's brother Gareth, 24, is travelling in South-East Asia and Australia but is returning today (Thursday) in time for his funeral.

An open funeral service will take place in North Cerney at midday on Monday, followed by a private cremation in Cheltenham before his ashes are returned to North Cerney for burial.

Pictured: Alex Vincent pictured with his adopted sister Li-Na, 6. The photograph was taken as he recovered from a motorbike accident earlier this year.