Lewis Edwards on his 19th birthday. No one believed he would kill himself A MOTHER whose son killed himself aged just 19 has issued a heartbroken plea to young men -- to talk about their problems.

Susan Edwards, 45, of Thorncliffe Road, Sharples, issued the plea after her son, Lewis, hung himself from the bannister rail at his home after seeing the girl he loved with another man.

And Mrs Edwards has issued a plea to those loved ones of young men to take threats of suicide seriously.

An inquest into Lewis's death heard he had told a friend that he was going to kill himself but was not taken seriously.

Two days later a burglar discovered the body of Lewis and dialled 999. Mrs Edwards is still struggling to come to terms with her son's death.

He was a promising chef and had just finished the work for an NVQ level three course at famed cook Paul Heathcote's school of excellence. His completed file was sent off after his death and he will receive his qualification posthumously.

Mrs Edwards said: "I was asked whether I had nightmares. The nightmare begins when I wake up. It is the worst nightmare possible. I still can't take it in, that it's happened.

"I keep thinking that somebody is going to say it is wrong. I feel like I'm watching a bizarre film."

Speaking through tears, she added: "I just ask everyone out there, listen to anyone who threatens suicide.

"Lewis had no history of saying he was going to commit suicide. He only said it just the once. But please, please take someone seriously. If you do not want to go around yourself, at least call the police. It could save somebody's life."

"And I want to say to young men, when they get into that frame of mind: 'Just ring somebody. Just wait, just hang on. The traumas and disappointments or perceived failures do pass'."

Lewis, a former Canon Slade pupil, had only recently left his position as chef at the Spread Eagle Pub in Hough Lane, Eagley, to move to the kitchens of a Manchester restaurant.

Mrs Edwards and her husband, Frank, were with their two younger sons on a caravan holiday in the South of France when they found out Lewis had taken his own life.

Lewis himself was due to go with his pals abroad on holiday just two weeks before his suicide.

"He was really well liked. He would do anything for anyone," said Mrs Edwards, who is a tutor at Blackburn College.

She added: "It's horrendous. The facts are just phenomenal. Those aged between 15 to 24 years old that its the second most common cause of death after road traffic accidents.

"Half of those who kill themselves have no history of mental illness. Just because they are young they are not indestructible.

"If I could just make one young person think again then I would feel something positive has come out of the death of my own son."

She backed Rossendale-based organisation Papyrus, which has called for the subject of suicide to be discussed in schools.

Papyrus, which was formed by parents who had lost children to suicide, offers support to the families of suicide victims and to those young people who may be considering suicide -- their number is 01706 214449.

The Samaritans national helpline number is 08457 909090 or the local number is 01204-521200 -- both are 24-hours, seven days a week. The Samaritans provide 24-hour emotional support, for the price of a local call, to anyone going through personal crisis.

In Bolton, there are 92 volunteers providing this vital service, including a drop-in facility at their Bark Street headquarters in Bolton town centre from 9.30am to 9pm.