The parents of a young father-to-be who took his own life want to spread awareness of the dangers of mixing cocaine and alcohol.

Samuel Neild, 23, died on March 5 after having struggled with his mental health, telling his doctor and family he had been feeling low.

An inquest at Accrington Town Hall on Friday, July 8, heard how in the months leading up to his death, Sam, who was weeks away from becoming a father, had started drinking more alcohol, with his family and girlfriend becoming concerned about him.

Without his family knowing, Sam then started taking cocaine, with his mental health continuing to spiral before he sadly took his own life.

Sam’s mother and father are now speaking out about the dangers of mixing the two substances, believing it may have contributed to his low mood and led to his death.

They said: “He had such an amazing laugh, that is something we will always think of when we think of him.

“You don’t see much anywhere about the dangers of mixing cocaine with alcohol but it's rife in our culture and society in people in their late teens and early 20s.

“It ends up as an awful vicious cycle and we think that it contributed to Sam taking his life that night.”

On March 4, Sam, who was a Blackburn Rovers fan, had been out with some friends and went back to his home in Rawtenstall which he shared with his girlfriend, Kasey.

She said Sam had been speaking to her through the night and that he had seemed paranoid which was unlike him.

When he got back to home, she thought he had taken cocaine and confronted him, and he admitted it.

In the inquest, Kasey said: “We had a laugh when he came in.

"He went to the back door for a cigarette, and I went with him so we could talk.

“He just started saying ‘there’s someone else isn’t there' and ‘you’re going to leave me’.

“I told him no and that I loved him. He came into the kitchen and was saying how down he was feeling.”

The pair continued to talk, with Sam admitting he had got into some debt, but Kasey said she would continue to support him.

He later received a message and threw his phone to the floor before going upstairs where Kasey later tragically discovered his body.

After his death, Kasey passed on contact details for his mother and father, who are separated, however, Sam’s father Roger was not told about his son’s death by Lancashire Police for more than 30 hours.

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After that, with Roger being unsure whether Sam’s mother knew what had happened, had to go and break the news to her as well.

Coroner Kare Bissett said: “It is regrettable the police system broke down in the way it did and left Sam’s parents not knowing their child had died.

“I hope an investigation will be made into this.”

Sam’s parents were not aware he had been taking cocaine but did know that he was drinking and he would intermittently use cannabis.

They are now hoping by raising awareness after the tragic death of their son, young people might think more about the dangers of cocaine and alcohol.

The coroner Kate Bissett recorded a conclusion of suicide.

She added: “He was very loved, whether he knew that is another matter.

“The circumstances which led Sam to take his life, sadly we will never know.”

If you're struggling with your mental health or are in crisis, you can call Samaritans free of charge on 116 123 - they're available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you are worried about drug use and need help or advice you can talk to FRANK by calling 0300 123 6600, or Inspire East Lancashire on 01254 495382.