A Sutton councillor has told of the moment he woke up one morning to find his brother has taken his own life five years ago.

Cllr Jed Dwight, elected to Stonecot ward in May, spoke candidly about his older brother Daniel who was a “happy go lucky kind of guy”.

It was on that day in April 2013 when his mum told him to look at Daniel’s Facebook profile where a post had been made hours before.

It said, ‘I’m sorry’, with an attached location of The Needles – stacks of rock located in the sea off the western point of the Isle of Wight.

It comes as today (September 10) marks World Suicide Prevention Day.

Your Local Guardian:

Cllr Jed Dwight (centre) with family and friends

Cllr Dwight, who was 22 at the time, said: "My dad was up in Telford [in Shropshire] and my brother-in-law was in Wales at the time. I can't even begin to imagine how awful their journey back was to the island, knowing that they had both lost a best friend, and my dad his eldest son, would have been.

"As the days, weeks, months, and eventually years passed, we have learned to carry on with our lives but we have never forgotten Daniel.

“If I am asked how many siblings I have, I always say I have two sisters and a brother – as challenging as that can be at times.

“Sure, every now and then we have a little cry, but we also have fond memories too.”

He also spoke of how his family and friends gathered at his sister’s house where they supported each other at an extremely difficult time.

Daniel, then 29, was also described as someone who’d do anything for anyone, had a “heart of gold as well as the warmest of smiles”.

Cllr Dwight is now urging people to talk to their neighbours, chat with people at the bus stop, and ensure people those closest to you know you’re there.

He added: “I lost my brother on an April morning five years ago, but other brothers, sisters, mums, dads, friends, and neighbours could be saved.

“It’s up to all of us to make that a reality.”

There were 6,213 suicides in the UK and Republic of Ireland last year, while men remain three times as likely to take their own lines than women, according to the charity Samaritans.

Although there has been a drop in male suicides across the UK, and the rate is at its lowest in more than 30 years, people are still encouraged to help others at risk navigate through rough times.

If you need to speak with someone, you can call Samaritans free on 116 123 (UK and Ireland), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit their website to find their nearest branch.