A POPULAR footballer from Penryn took his own life, an inquest heard last week.

Martin Day, aged 36, was found at home on March 8. Coroner Barrie Van den Berg returned a verdict of suicide at the hearing in Truro last Wednesday.

The father of two, who worked for Rowe's bakery, played for several football clubs including Falmouth Town, Penryn Athletic, Porthleven, Perranwell and Mawnan.

Following the tragic incident in spring, his wife of five years Clair told the Packet: "He was an incredible husband, father and friend. He will live on through our children.

"Martin was loved and cherished by so man and it's just terrible. Myself and the children will love him every day and he will always be remembered."

He received dozens of tributes on social media, many of whom were from former football team mates.

* An event to help reduce the number of deaths by suicide in Cornwall is being held in Truro tomorrow.

Residents, community leaders, volunteers and anyone with an interest in mental health, or whose lives have been touched by suicide, are invited to the Health and Wellbeing Innovation Centre at 9am.

Positive multi agency work to reduce suicides here has seen a drop in the number of deaths by suicide in 2017 (64).

However, the rate per 100,000 people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is consistently higher than the national average.

Those who attend the event will have the opportunity to learn about suicide risk and prevention, and to contribute to the planning and implementation of local activities to help reduce the risk of suicide.

Mental health experts and community leaders in Cornwall, who are part of an initiative called Towards Zero, have put the event together to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.

It is being hosted by Cornwall Council, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CFT) and is funded by the Duchy Charity.