Sudden death of man, 19, probed

The man has been named locally as Sean Rees

Police have started an investigation following the sudden death of a 19-year-old man in Bridgend county.

The body of a man, named locally as Sean Rees, was found in the village of Bettws around 0730 BST on Sunday.

Since the start of last year, 18 people under the age of 27 have apparently taken their own lives in the county.

Officers said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident and said there was no link with any other deaths in the area.

South Wales Police Chief Inspector Simon Belcher of Bridgend police station said: "This is a tragic loss of life which will be devastating for the family and friends of the deceased and our thoughts are with them.

"We would ask the media to respect the family's wishes to be left in peace to grieve at this sad and difficult time."

One family friend described him as "happy-go-lucky".

He said: "He had recently got a job at Sainsbury's, had passed his driving test and got a car.

"Everyone is so deeply upset, because he was such a likeable person."