A CHARITY walk started in memory of a 21-year-old woman who took her own life is to be held next week.

The annual Walk with an Angel event is organised by campaigner Tony Harrison after his daughter Vicky died seven years ago.

Mr Harrison, 60, is now a trustee of national charity PAPYRUS, which is dedicated to the prevention of young suicide, and sits on the Blackburn with Darwen Suicide Prevention Strategy Group.

The 10 mile Walk with an Angel event starts at Witton Park pavilion and finishes at the Mill Hill pub in Bridge Street where there will be food and a raffle.

Mr Harrison, a retired civil engineer from Darwen, said it is the sixth one they have held.

"It is really good that we get people coming year after year but it is tinged with sadness because of why I'm doing it," he said.

"It is because of Vicky. I believe we are the only annual event raising awareness of suicide in Lancashire.

"We have people who are suffering mental health issues, people working in suicide prevention and people who have been bereaved by suicide. Everyone is welcome.

"It is all about raising awareness, encouraging people to talk and letting them know there are people out there who can help.

"We have got to get rid of the stigma.

"We are moving forward and there is more discussion of mental health but we need more than talk. We need action.

"There needs to be more suicide prevention, more training for mental health professionals, GPs and for the public.

"We need to let people know that there is hope. While there's breath there's hope.

"It has been seven and a half years since Vicky died and sometimes it feels like it could be last week and sometimes it feels like it is another lifetime away but she is just missed ever so much.

"She was such a fantastic person. A person that people liked and with a great, wicked sense of humour."

Mr Harrison said every five and a half weeks a child aged 10 to 14 will take their life while suicide is the leading cause of death for young people aged 10 to 35.

Suicide rates in Blackburn with Darwen are also higher than the national average.

"It is a national scandal but because we don't talk about it people do not know how bad it is," he said.

Mr Harrison said research carried out by Papyrus shows more than 70 per cent of people surveyed think mentioning the word suicide to someone who may be suffering from mental health issues will make things worse but it can actually be a way for them to open up and discuss how they are feeling.

"We have got to shatter these myths. It is a battle but I am up for it," he added.

The walk starts at noon on Saturday, July 29. People are encouraged to wear something yellow which was Vicky's favourite colour.

There will also be a collection for PAPYRUS.