A FORMER pub landlord who moved to Vietnam to start a new life has died after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Mike Garnett, 48, who ran the White Lion, Highergate Road, Huncoat, in the early 1990s, moved to South East Asia in February after falling in love with the country on a round-the-world trip.

He died at his new home, in the city of Can Tho, in south Vietnam, on May 17, after suffering a brain haemorrhage while he slept.

Back in Accrington, where Mr Garnett lived before his recent move, his children, Rebecca, 24, and Martin, 23, said the death of their fit and healthy father had left them shocked.

Martin, of Turkey Street, Accrington, said: "We got a phone call in the middle of the night, trying to tell us what had happened, but no-one could speak English."

He said the details of Mr Garnett's death became clear with the help of the British Embassy in Vietnam, which had helped organise sending his body home. He said a post mortem examination revealed the haemorrhage could not have been predicted.

He added: "My dad was a healthy guy. He had started learning to be a scuba diving instructor and loved life out there. He had met a girlfriend and was really happy."

Brought up in Clitheroe, Mr Garnett worked for many years as an engineer across Lancashire. His children said he was a fun-loving man whose motto was always work hard and play even harder'.

Rebecca, who now lives in Swansea, said: "He always made you smile. He had been paragliding, bungee jumping, and he loved sailing. Vietnam was perfect for him. He loved the place."

A service will be held at Accrington Crematorium on Tuesday, at 2.20pm.