A MAN who plunged to his death from a shopping centre would have been receiving specialist help if the Salvation Army had more money, it was claimed today.

Mohammed Azam, 39, died instantly from serious head injuries after falling to the floor near the clock tower in King William Street, Blackburn.

He had been released from hospital weeks earlier and was living at Blackburn Salvation Army hostel awaiting a place in one of the army's specialist care units.

Assistant officer Tony Wigley said Mr Azam had been living at the hostel for some time and had returned several weeks ago after a brief spell in hospital for psychiatric treatment. He added: "He had a history of depression but he had been quite chirpy recently.

"He had just come out of hospital and was trying to get back into circulation.

"We were hoping to get him transferred one of our care units.

"It was just a case of when the funding would be made available."

"If we had had the money, he could have started receiving help and might still be alive."

Mr Wigley said Mr Azam had been a good resident and was well liked.

He added: "He had never caused any trouble and was never a problem.

"There was nothing bad you could say about him."

Mr Azam is believed to have relatives in the Blackburn area.

Police and paramedics were called to King William Street at 7.30am on Wednesday.

A Blackburn ambulance spokesman said Mr Azam was dead when they arrived at the scene.

He added: "He suffered a very serious head injury."

The coroner has been informed.

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