Heartfelt tributes have poured in for a popular postman and firefighter who died while out walking near Scafell Pike.

Chris Brown, 35, worked for the Royal Mail in Maryport for 15 years and was a retained firefighter in the town.

His body was found in the early hours of Tuesday at Chambers Crag.

A memorial event will be held on the welfare field at Broughton Moor from 5pm tomorrow to release balloons and share stories of a man who both loved and was loved.

In his last social media post, written from the top of Scafell Pike, Mr Brown said: “For a brief moment in time I am currently the highest person on land in the whole of England.”

A few hours later his wife Sam put out a plea for anyone who had seen her husband to get in touch as he had not been in contact.

Search and rescue teams, family, friends and fire service colleagues turned out to search but Mr Brown was found dead in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Mrs Brown said she had lost her husband, soulmate, best friend and the father of their daughter Grace Harper.

She said: “I phoned you yesterday, I knew the phone wouldn’t ring and I knew you wouldn’t answer but I just needed to feel like I was talking to you somehow.

“My heart is truly broken and you’re the only one that would know how to make it better, but it is breaking because you’re gone.”

“I will forever treasure the memories we made together and will let your memory live on through our daughter.

“I am so pleased that not a day went by that we didn’t tell each other we loved each other. Just please stay close to me and Grace because I need you to guide the way and look after us somehow.”

She said her husband was the kindest, most generous man in the world and she would teach her daughter to look up at the biggest and brightest star in the sky to remember him.

Mrs Brown added: “I will never let her forget you Chris, never!”

Mr Brown’s parents, Alan and Marie, of Broughton Moor, said their son was loving and was loved by all with whom he came into contact.

They said: “Our son Chris was one of a kind and we loved him with all our hearts as did everyone that was part of his life.

“As much as we loved him he had so much love to give back in return.”

Colleagues at the Royal Mail said Mr Brown always had a smile on his face.

Manager Carol Wallbanks described him as “the nicest man I have ever met and probably the best postman we have ever had”.

A new member of the team, Sally Bowden, said he had made her feel welcome and helped her learn the ropes.

Fiona Graham said: “He loved his family. Most mornings he would have a video or a photo to show us what his daughter Grace was doing.”

David Jones and Neil Donaughee spoke of his love of sport of any kind.

They also spoke of his willingness to help others. If he was asked to change a shift, he was the one who would do it without any complaint.

Mr Brown’s fire station manager Stephen Iredale said: “He always had a new photo of Sam and Grace. He was a Moor man through and through. It showed how much he loved Sam when he moved to Whitehaven for her.”

Mr Iredale said he was just going to bed on Monday when he read Mrs Brown’s message.

By that time most of the other firefighters wanted to join the search but they needed to cover the town.

Mr Iredale said: “We are just gutted. He was the perfect firefighter and just such a lovely guy.”

Retired Allerdale and Copeland fire boss Adrian Holme said from the time he interviewed Chris for his firefighting job he knew he would be exceptional.

He added: “He was an absolute pleasure to work alongside a dedicated professional who would always go above and beyond to serve his community.

“Our thoughts go out to his wife Sam, daughter Grace, family, friends and colleagues especially the Maryport crew.”

A former Maryport firefighter who did not want to be named described Mr Brown as “one of the best”.

He added: “He would always put others first. He was a great help to me when I was in the service - always willing to support you. He is a huge loss.”

His fire service colleagues in Maryport are looking at ways to remember him.

One suggestion has been retracing Chris’ last walk and placing a memorial plaque at the site from which he sent his last message.

The fire service has also announced that it will form a guard of honour and have fire appliances at his funeral. A date for the service is still to be set.