Another young person is found dead in 'suicide town' Bridgend

A South Wales Police spokesman said: "Bridgend Police are investigating the death of a 26-year-old male from the Bettws area of Bridgend. HM Coroner has been informed."

Suicide spats: 20 other young people have died in Bridgend in apparent suicides since the beginning of last year

A group of young people from the county travelled to London earlier this week to challenge media coverage of the deaths.

Members of the Bridgend Youth Council said articles about the suspected suicides of young people connected with Bridgend were unfair and have urged national newspaper reporters to attend their next meeting to get a more balanced view of the region.

Last month Press Complaints Commission (PCC) chairman Sir Christopher Meyer hosted a question-and-answer session at a leisure centre in Bridgend.

South Wales Police would not confirm today when the latest death was discovered or whether it was being treated as a suicide.

Found dead: Natasha Randall, 17, was discovered by family members in January

The force has previously said the earlier deaths do not appear to be linked.

A 19-year-old man was found hanging in the Bettws area of Bridgend in April this year.

Sean Rees, of Heol Glannant, was discovered hanging from a tree in a wooded area after he had been out socialising with friends.Bettws councillor Christopher Michaelides said he believed the latest man to die had been friends with Mr Rees.

Mr Michaelides said he was not sure of his name, but added: "He was friends with the one who died before. I think he was upset by the suicides."

Victim: Jason Williams, 21, was found by his fiancee Sian Davies at their home in North Cornelly, near Bridgend, on August 23 last year

He said: "I was only told the news last night and of course I'm shocked. He was a lad from a very good family."

The councillor said he understood the man had been found dead in the Aberkenfig area of Bridgend county.

"It seems the idea has been planted in lots of young people's minds and we've got to be careful how we handle this," he said.

"The Press has a very important role, as well as politicians and the police, otherwise this could get out of hand.

"There are lots of rumours flying around, but we will have to wait until the coroner's verdict on these cases."