Benedetta Ciaccia was due to marry in September

Fiaz Bhatti paid tribute to Benedetta Ciaccia, 30, from Norwich, who died in the Tube blast at Aldgate station, as a lively, strong and independent woman.

The couple, who met three years ago, were due to marry in Rome in September.

Ms Ciaccia's body is due to be flown to Italy on Thursday where her funeral will be held.

Mr Bhatti, a British-born Muslim, spent an agonising week walking the streets of London with a home-made missing person poster, in the hope his wife-to-be was still alive. Her death was finally confirmed on 16 July.

We planned to go to Sardinia and Corsica. It was going to be the start of a wonderful married life together Fiaz Bhatti, Benedetta Ciaccia's fiance

The 29-year-old, who works as a sales advisor in Norwich, said: "Benedetta was a really lively person.

"She was strong and independent and she loved to travel and socialise.

"We hadn't had a chance to travel together, the honeymoon was to be our first trip.

Oldest of three sisters

"We planned to go to Sardinia and Corsica. It was going to be the start of a wonderful married life together."

The couple had been living in Norwich for about 18 months, based in the Riverside area for the last four.

Ms Ciaccia had just completed a five-year part-time degree course in IT and worked in The Strand.

Italian-born Ms Ciaccia, originally from Rome and the oldest of three sisters, had been living in the UK since 1995, having originally come here as an au pair.

Mr Bhatti is also planning a memorial service in Norwich.