A SONG by Darwen rock band India Mill is to be used by a national charity to help prevent suicides over the Christmas period.

The band’s single Caribesque will be featured in one of the ‘12 Days of Christmas’ videos in an appeal by CALM – the Campaign against Living Miserably.

The videos featuring help and advice for suicidal young men, will be shown on the charity’s website and the tracks, including some from international artists, will be available to download for free.

India Mill, a four-piece band named after the much-loved Darwen landmark with a 303ft high chimney, first came to the attention of the charity’s East Lancs regional coordinator, Miles Whittaker, at the beginning of the year.

They were one of three bands to perform at the launch of the East Lancashire CALM Zone in Accrington.Mr Whittaker said that people who use the charity would be able to identify with the strong emotions in the song.

He said: “I kept in touch with the band after the launch and heard about the launch of the new song Caribesque.

“The song is almost like an ode to suicide and it is a great coincidence that it ties in so well with the CALM campaign.

“We need to make local people aware of the campaign and this is also a fabulous way to showcase the music talents of East Lancashire.”

The song was penned by the band’s lead guitarist and singer Alistair Smith with help from other band members.

Alistair, 25, said: “The song is about dealing with day-to-day existence.

“We live in catastrophic times and that leaves its mark on a person.

“But it’s not really about suicide.

“We’re really glad that CALM have picked up on it because the charity is very immediate and touches a lot of local people. It’s easy to take a high moral ground on an issue in a different continent.

“The publicity will also help us move forward as a band.”

CALM’s website receives more than 7,000 hits a day and 30 per cent of callers to its free helpline are under 25.