THE GIRLFRIEND of a man who died backpacking in Vietnam has said she was certain she had a future with him.

Aiden Webb, 22, from Norwich, set off to scale Fansipan mountain alone on June 3.

He died after slipping down a waterfall and was found six days later.

His family and girlfriend Bluebell Baughan, who lives with her parents in White Notley, are holding a memorial picnic for him.

Miss Baughan, 24, met Mr Webb when they were drama students at Cambridge's Anglia Ruskin University.

Her family travelled whilst she was growing up, but she has lived in the UK since she was nine.

The former Notley High School and Braintree College pupil met drama student Aiden whilst on a collaboration of their university courses.

She said: "The opportunity to spend time with Aiden only really came when our courses collaborated in our final semester.

"Until then I had just admired him from across the corridor or during his performances.

"Obviously I remember our first kiss as I was so pleased with myself."

The couple developed a passion for the outdoors, and it was their love of picnics that inspired the memorial day.

Miss Baughan said: "We both love the outdoors and would take every opportunity to have a picnic by the river.

"Aiden introduced me to free climbing and although I will only ever be just a beginner, whereas Aiden was a very capable climber, we enjoyed using the bouldering walls at the sports centre in Cambridge."

The memorial will include personal tributes, "memory tables" and a candlelit vigil.

The climber injured himself on a 3,100m high mountain- trying to make it to safety he slipped down an 18m waterfall and died on impact.

His funeral took place near Norwich on July 15.

Miss Baughan said: "Aiden was extremely compassionate and understanding with everyone he met. He supported me through everything in the most incredible ways.

"I am studying my masters in Drama Therapy this September and I would never even attended the interview if it were not for Aiden's encouragement.

"Aiden was a hard grafter and his work ethics were to be admired. I am lacking in comparison.

"He had so many plans for his life and career, I seem to just go with the flow.

"The only certain plan I had was that I would be with Aiden, I figured the rest would just fall into place."

She said Aiden spent a lot of time training, climbing, and cycling. She spent the majority of her weeks at Aiden's house in Cambridge until they eventually moved in together.

She said: "Often we would just spend hours and hours together doing nothing more than just being together, it was wonderful. No television, no music, on one else, just us.

"Aiden was far more than words could ever describe. He was so polite that I would often be stood in the street for ages whilst he held the door open for twenty people.

"He had the incredible attribute of being able to empathise with anyone in any situation and aiding them in the necessary way. It was something I envied about him."

The memorial service, which will be held on July 31 in Cambridge, is an opportunity for people touched by Aiden's story to pay their respects.

It will be held just after Aiden's 23rd birthday where the couple first met.

A charity, the Aiden Shaw Webb Ascent (ASWA), has been set up in his name.

To visit the memorial Facebook page visit www.facebook.com/events/168553863561701/

To donate to the charity visit www.youcaring.com/hmong-people-of-lao-cai-province-northern-vietnam-600651