Ref. 21953-59AS a child Kristian Andersen wanted to follow in the footsteps of world-renowned adventurer David Hempleman-Adams.

But only a few years later his life had spiralled into heroin-fuelled chaos, leading to his suicide at the age of 20.

His death was in total contrast to his typically middle-class childhood in Freshbrook where he was brought up to know about the dangers of drugs, smoking and alcohol.

At the age of 14, the then Ridgeway School pupil was one of two young winners of an Evening Advertiser competition.

The top prize was a visit to the Patriot Hills base camp in the Antarctic.

The trip was organised by Swindon-born explorer Mr Hempleman-Adams and during the journey Kristian met another legend of exploration, Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

The experience enthralled him so much that he vowed to return there. His goal was to finish his education and work for the Adventure Network International organisation, which helps young people see the world's far-flung places.

But when he was around 15, he got in with a new group of friends and after many arguments decided to leave home.

His mother, Jan, had no idea he used Class A drugs as he drifted further and further away from his family.

On November 1, 2002, he was found in a stairwell landing outside his girlfriend's flat in Walcot. Drug paraphernalia including a spoon and a hypodermic needle were found nearby, along with two suicide letters.

In one of the letters he wrote: "Tell my mum and family that I am sorry, but I hate myself and my life and cannot take it any longer."