A HOLIDAYMAKER from Bolton plunged to his death from the 14th floor of a Mexico hotel, following a row with his girlfriend. Adrian Fletcher, aged 34, fell from the top floor of the five-star Riu Cancun hotel, in Cancun, Mexico.

He and his girlfriend, Lisa, along with 20 others from Little Lever, Bolton, had flown to the resort to attend a friend's wedding this weekend.

The mobile phone salesman, known as Flecky to friends and family, died at lunchtime on Thursday.

His brother, Michael Fletcher, a police officer in Bolton, said: "Adrian was a very, very popular man who was deeply loved by all his friends and relatives. This is a tragic loss for us."

Hotel staff at the 569-room resort said Mr Fletcher and Lisa were seen having a "very forceful argument" minutes before he fell to his death.

His girlfriend, aged 30, who lives in Wigan and whose surname has not been confirmed, was yesterday being questioned by police as a witness.

The couple had been together for nine years.

A fun-loving and well-liked man, it took just an hour for the tragic news to reach friends in Little Lever on Thursday evening. Mr Fletcher's family were officially notified of his death yesterday morning and are currently in discussions with the Home Office about travelling to Mexico to identify the body.

A former Little Lever High School pupil and a Manchester United supporter, Mr Fletcher was a keen footballer and cricketer who enjoyed clubbing and parties.

He played for The Three Crowns pub pool team and football for Little Lever Labour Club. He used to own a mobile phone shop, in Market Street, Little Lever.

Tributes yesterday poured in for the man described by friends as "larger than life".

One friend, Paul Hughes, said: "I was devastated to hear such news. Loved and respected by all that had the pleasure of his company. The lad was simply a star - a true friend."

Mr Fletcher's neighbour, Tony Walker, aged 50, said: "He was a really nice, sociable lad. He'd do anything for a mate. He was a good laugh and a great friend to a lot of people."

Another friend, who asked not to be named, said: "Flecky lit up a room, he was larger than life. I can't believe I will never see him walk in the pub again. When I got the phone call, I was just devastated. I'm still in shock, it's a massive loss."

An official from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed that police were investigating Mr Fletcher's death. They added that no-one had been charged in connection with the incident. It is not known when Mr Fletcher's body will be flown back to the UK.

The Riu hotel refused to comment.

Antonia Salmeron, a spokesman for the attorney general's office in the state of Quintana Roo, where Cancun is located, said: "We don't know precisely what happened.

"The only thing that hotel employees and guards have said is that the couple had a very forceful argument.

"Shouting was heard in the room, and later, at about 12.30pm (5.30pm British time) there was a report that a man had fallen from the 14th floor."

Mr Salmeron said police were investigating whether a scuffle had occurred in the room.

Mr Fletcher, of Grosvenor Street, Little Lever, leaves behind parents, Delores and Howard, and two brothers, Michael, aged 41, and Robert, aged 36. He was also an uncle to Ashley, aged 11, Elliott, aged eight, and Melissa, aged nine-months.