A HEARTBROKEN girlfriend has told how she has been devastated after finding her boyfriend dead last weekend.

Mark Wilson, 28, was found hanging by girlfriend Rachael Owen, 21, who had been asleep in bed.

She woke at about 11pm to find that Mark had killed himself at their Bold Street home.

The couple had been together for five years and Rachael, a support worker for people with learning difficulties, said she has no idea why her boyfriend took his own life.

She added: "I phoned the police straight away when I found him.

"I have no idea why he did this. We were getting on really well and we were very happy together.

"I can only think that he didn't mean to do it and it was a cry for help.

"Mark was a pretty quiet person but he did like to socialise with his friends.

"Everytime I close my eyes I now have these horrible images in my mind. That's all I can see.

"I can't go back inside the house now. I'm going to move out because of this."

The pair were due to have a baby girl together in 2004 but Rachael miscarried five months into the pregnancy. They called the baby Sienna Rose.

Mark leaves parents Harold and Maureen, sisters Shirley, Michelle and Marie, he was uncle to Alexandra, Sean, Dominic, Jack, James, Daniel, Adam and Matthew and great uncle to Ella Mai. Mark's best friend was Gary Bates who he had known for 15 years.

The funeral will be held on Tuesday 14 November at Accrington Crematorium. For more information about the service contact funeral directors Kirby and Hughes on 233341.