Bridgend inquests due to begin

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A total of 17 young people from the South Wales county are thought to have killed themselves since January last year.

Inquests are to be held on Wednesday for 21-year-old Alan Price, who died in Maesteg in April 2007, his friend Leigh Jenkins, 22, from Bridgend, who died two months later, and Jason Williams, 21, who died in North Cornelly last August.

The coroner will also hold inquests into the deaths of Andrew O'Neill, 19, of Nantymoel, who was discovered hanged in September last year, and Gareth Morgan, 27, found hanged at his Bridgend home in January.

Bridgend Coroner Philip Walters is conducting the hearings at the Tabernacle Church in Brackla.

Mr Walters has expressed concern at the number of young people to have taken their lives in the area but said he does not believe there are any links between all the deaths.

Police have publicly ruled out suicide pacts among the victims as being a trigger for the deaths.

Suggestions that internet sites played a part have also been dismissed.

Samaritans can be contacted 24 hours a day on 08457 90 90 90.

They can also be emailed at jo@samaritans.org.