A grief stricken couple spoke today of their hope that their son's tragic death will help steer others away from suicide.

Chris Wood's devastated parents, Michael and Mary, say they may never know exactly what drove their 23-year-old son - who had a steady job and a stable relationship with his girlfriend - to his death.

But they are urging families to take more time to talk to each other and young people to speak about any problems, however small, or seek help from counselling services.

Mr Wood was found dead at his home in Hawthorn View, Baildon, on July 4. His mother said he had left notes to her and her husband and to his girlfriend, Emma Heald, 21, pictured with him.

Some of Mr Wood's favourite music, including The Verve's Bitter Sweet Symphony, was being played during this afternoon's funeral service at Nab Wood Crematorium, Shipley, which was expected to be attended by relatives, friends and workmates.

Mrs Wood, 52, said her son - who worked as a metal spinner at Bradford Metal Spinners in Bingley, since leaving Beckfoot Grammar School - had been ''down'' about having his scooter stolen, not receiving any insurance and being off work sick for a fortnight.

And though Chris, who had two older brothers, Paul and Martin, was always the ''life and soul'' when he was with others, he had privately lacked "a bit of self-confidence''.

But she said there had been no obvious signs that he had felt suicidal, adding: "The day before he was fine - cheerful, calm and not agitated or anything, and this came completely out of the blue.

"There's a lot of pressure on young people these days and there needs to be much more openness so they can talk about things no matter how small the problem. That's important because what might seem trivial to everyone else can build up and seem very big to them.

"Families need to be talking regularly, even if there are no problems, so things don't get to that stage and young people - particularly young men who can find it harder to talk about their feelings - need to know that regardless of what they think there's always someone ready to listen, whether it's family, friends, the doctor or a counselling service.

"We're absolutely devastated, but if us talking about this stops what happened to Chris happening to just one other person and prevents another family going through what we are, then it will be worthwhile.''

Mr Wood's father Michael, 52, who has written a poem to his son that was being placed in his coffin alongside letters from his mother and girlfriend, said: "It seems such a waste when he had his whole life in front of him and we're all feeling guilty thinking 'was there anything we could have done?'

"I think he just didn't see the need to talk about things, but in the end they built up, got on top of him and he couldn't see any other way out.''

l The Samaritans can be contacted on (01274) 547547, and the Bradford Relate Centre is on (01274) 726096.