A DEVASTATED family were today waiting for medical experts to shed light on the mystery death of a 29-year-old man just weeks after he returned from a round-the-world trip.

Peter Byrom, 29, died during the night after telling his mother he felt unwell and going to bed. He was found on Wednesday morning by his mother Margaret in the bedroom of his Calgary Avenue home, Lammack, Blackburn.

He had recently returned from a six-month tour of America, New Zealand, Australia and India with a cough.

His parents Les and Margaret Byrom are hoping the results of a post-mortem examination, carried out yesterday will provide clues about the cause of death. An inquest was to open today.

Peter was a former pupil of Beardwood High School where he had gained five A-levels and then studied graphic design at Blackburn College.

After graduating with a first class honours degree from Bradford University in psychology and social psychology, he worked as a volunteer with young homeless people in Glasgow for a year.

His mother said: "He was a very caring lad and a very loving person. He was very intelligent and interested in people." When he returned to Blackburn, he worked at Philips Components then as a librarian at Blackburn library.

Peter set off for his round-the-world trip in June 1998 and visited a relative in America and friends in New Zealand before touring India, then returned to his parents' home just before Christmas.

His mother said: "He really enjoyed it, I'm glad he had that at least. He went alone but he was such a friendly person, he would make friends everywhere he went."

Peter had many friends and loved to write letters and short stories.

He was very active and would often take the train to the Lake District and spend a couple of days walking and camping.

On Tuesday, he went cycling during the afternoon but returned saying he felt "flu-ey" and went to bed. His mother went to wake him at 8am on Wednesday, but immediately realised he had died.

She said: "I can't believe he's been taken like this. We had our ups and downs but we never had any problems with him. It's such a shock for everyone."

Peter's sister Jacqueline is flying from Germany and a friend is flying from New Zealand for the funeral service at Pleasington Crematorium on Wednesday.

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