SOME young Asian women in East Lancashire consider killing themselves because they dread the prospect of arranged marriages, the Samaritans have revealed.

The desperate youngsters say they would rather take their own life than be forced into marrying someone they don't know.

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Samaritans are regularly receiving calls from worried members of the ethnic community.

Branch director Annette said: "Asian females are among the highest risk for suicide or attempted suicide in the country and the problem is the same in this area.

"One of their main concerns is arranged marriages. They don't know what to do or where to turn.

"Difficulties also arise once they are married.

"They can feel entrapped and are torn between loyalty to their husbands and loyalty to their families.

"All sorts of culture problems can arise and it's very difficult for them." The news comes as the Samaritans reveal suicide is now the second highest cause of death of 15-24 year-olds in East Lancashire after road accidents.

The biggest concerns among young people in the area include;

Worries about exams.

Concerns over what the future holds for them.

Relationship problems.

Teenage pregnancy

Confusion over sexuality.

Annette added: "All these problems are very real. "Stress is becoming increasingly apparent in the young, who are seeing suicide as their only option.

"We want them to know that we are here to listen and everything they say is in confidence and their calls are never traced."

This week is Samaritan's Week and a new report by the charity shows there are two suicides every day amongst young people under the age of 25, with more lives lost by suicide than cancer.

Chief executive Simon Armson said: "According to Government figures, the suicide rate by young men is 40 per cent higher than it was in the early 1980s.

"In addition to this, rates of attempted suicide in the UK, particularly among young men, have undergone a sharp and alarming increase.

"Clearly there is no cause for complacency."

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