Durham couple speak out about saving someone from suicide - as helplines have their "busiest day ever"

A Durham couple, who talked a man down from jumping off the Wear Bridge, have been speaking of their heroic actions - as calls to suicide prevention helplines soar.

Stephen Smith and his girlfriend Kayleigh Robinson were driving when they noticed the man - they parked their car to keep people away from the man and sat and talked with him while they waited for the emergency services.

It comes as one suicide prevention charity helpline experienced its "busiest day ever'' after troubled Coronation Street character Aidan Connor killed himself, prompting a flood of requests for help from young people.

Papyrus, which provides trained support for callers to its HopeLineUK service, said staff worked 'relentlessly, without taking a break' to cope with the surge in demand.

Charity chief executive Ged Flynn told the Press Association there were three times as many calls as a routine day after Monday night's episodes, and the subsequent instalment on Wednesday when Aidan's family and friends made the grim discovery.

Mr Flynn praised the soap, and actor Shayne Ward, for the "sensitive and brave handling'' of the storyline, and said it undoubtedly prompted people to come forward and ask for help.

He said:

"There is strong evidence that says when something like suicide affects a cherished person perhaps in the public eye, it encourages others to seek help - and we've certainly seen that here.

"Our advisers were in all day and they worked relentlessly - none of them took a break due to the sheer number of people phoning up, texting, leaving voicemails, asking for help.

"I think the storyline - the way it was sensitively handled without being sensationalised - the way Aidan's character was portrayed on screen, and the subsequent coverage in the media clearly affected a lot of people.

"If people have seen it happen to a popular person, in this case a soap character, it really relates to people and makes them think: 'It can happen to me, too'.

"Sometimes we don't share our feelings - if we're having a bad day, perhaps suffering with mental health issues. Shayne has helped break that stigma, and I think he deserves praise for the way he's engaged with people on social media as well.''

After Wednesday's episode, the 33-year-old actor reached out to fans for their bravery in opening up about their problems, and said he hopes the conversation will continue.

• The Papyrus HopeLineUK is available on 0800 068 414