FAMILY and friends of a fun-loving globetrotter have been left devastated after he died of a brain haemorrhage in Vietnam aged just 48.

Mike Garnett, an engineer, moved to the Far East country in February after falling in love with it on a round-the-world trip on which he had visited Norway, China, Japan, Italy, Ireland, Bulgaria and Australia.

He planned to set up home there with his partner Nguyen Ha Thai and was in the process of doing building work on his house when he died.

Mr Garnett, formerly of Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle, and Turkey Street, Accrington, leaves a daughter Rebecca, 24, son Martin, 23, parents Peter and Margaret and sisters Elaine, Susan and Anne.

On Tuesday a service was held at Accrington Crematorium where tributes were paid to Mr Garnett who ran the White Lion pub in Huncoat during the mid-1990s.

The service featured some of his favourite songs including Smile by Gabrielle and Lovely Day by Bill Withers.

Martin said: "He died in his sleep and we were told it was the sort of thing that could happen to anyone. There were no warning signs and he seemed a very healthy person.

"He loved the outdoors and things like sailing, windsurfing, rock climbing, and potholing. The list of his interests was endless.

"He kept in regular touch by phone and e-mail and he seemed really happy out there.

"He just loved travelling and the warm weather."