Two men who have lost loved ones to suicide are setting up a self-help group in Bradford to help others come to terms with their loss.

Guy Milnes, from Haworth, is one of the founder members of a Bradford branch of the Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (Sobs) to provide a place where people can come together and talk openly about the loss of loved ones with people who are going through the same thing.

Mr Milnes found out about Sobs after his 29-year-old son James committed suicide three years ago.

Together with his wife Menna he travelled to the nearest group meeting in Blackburn in search of help.

"When James died, more or less straight away I felt I needed or I would like to speak to someone who had experienced the same thing," said Mr Milnes.

"Because it is a sudden death but also it's a deliberate death, that's what makes it different from normal bereavement. It helped to see people who have gone through the same thing," added Mrs Milnes.

The couple visited the Blackburn group for two years and found that it really helped them to come to terms with their loss and to stop feeling guilty about James's death. And having found the group so helpful they were keen to set up a branch in Bradford.

Mrs Milnes said: "Guy wanted to do something positive so that James's death had not been in vain.

''He had a very full life, it was very active but it was cut short. We both want to draw something good from the experience."

Mr Milnes, together with Bob, from Brighouse, who did not want to give his full name but who lost his daughter to suicide some 13 years ago, are hoping that the Bradford Sobs group will make a difference to those who have lost loved ones but are struggling to find a way of coping with their grief.

Bob said: "I was a long time without talking to anybody directly about how I felt and I felt very isolated.

''I'm hoping that this

group will give people the opportunity to feel more confident and stronger about moving on."

The message is that Bradford Sobs will be a place for people to find hope and support from others in a similar situation.

"We want people to feel there is a place where they can be supported.

''It's not always easy to speak to family members and sometimes it's easier to speak to someone who is not connected. And from our experience, speaking to others who have come through it really does give you hope," said Mrs Milnes

"Knowing you are not alone but there are others who are going through the same and feeling all the different

emotions of grieving a suicide shock, disbelief, numbness,

disorientation, suicidal thoughts, guilt, anger, rejection, relief, shame, depression can help."

The meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of each month and each meeting will be confidential.

Anyone wanting to attend the first meeting on Wednesday, March 15, should telephone Bob on (01484) 715750.

The national helpline for Sobs is open from 9am until 9pm each day and the number is 0870 241 3337.