A NUMBER of residents will be hoping to help prevent further deaths at a notorious bridge in Redditch this weekend.

Katie Houghton, who has a long history with mental health issues, asked for people who would like to join her in attaching messages of hope and inspirational quotes to Muskett's Way footbridge, over the Bromsgrove Highway.

In the past the bridge has seen several suicide attempts and a number of worrying calls to police.

Numerous councillors and campaigners, including former Redditch mayor Joe Baker, have fought to have the bridge made safer including putting a cage around it saying that unless something is done lives will continue to be lost.

The idea to decorate bridges and other suicide hot spots was started by Lucy Mathison and Megan Embleton, who have attempted to take their own lives dozens of times, who are using their experiences to help others and their aim is to save lives.

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A group will be meeting at the bridge this Saturday, at noon.

Katie said: "It will involve making your own notes of hope - these can be handwritten messages, printed notes or even pictures - as long as they promote hope and the message that things can get better, to inspire that tomorrow just may be better and that this moment does not have to be how someone's story ends."

She added: "The bridge is a notorious suicide spot that I know people have tried to have closed - but unsuccessfully. I thought if it can't be closed, then maybe I can do my bit to change just one person's mind."

"A positive note won't stop everyone but it might be enough to stop one person and that would be an achievement."

The signs will be attached to the bridge using cable ties.

For more information or to get involved, go to mentalhealthjourney.co.uk or search for Muskett's Way Bridge on Facebook.

For help and advice or to talk to someone, call Samaritans on 116 123.