Suicides numbers rose in Windsor and Maidenhead last year, reflecting a trend across the UK particularly affecting men.

Office for National Statistics figures show that 11 suicides were recorded in Windsor and Maidenhead in 2018 - an increase on the nine recorded the year before.

In July 2018 the standard of proof used by coroners to determine whether a death was a suicide was lowered.

Samaritans chief executive Ruth Sutherland said: "It is extremely worrying that, for the first time in five years, the suicide rate in the UK has increased, with 686 more deaths than in 2017.

"There has also been a significant increase in the suicide rate in young men since 2017. Significantly, more men aged 45 to 49 took their own lives also, and middle-aged men remain the group at greatest risk of suicide overall."

The figures show the highest rate of suicide across the UK by age in 2018 was among 45 to 49-year-olds, a rate of 27.1 deaths per 100,000 males.

Nick Stripe, from the ONS, said: "We saw a significant increase in the rate of deaths registered as suicide last year, which has changed a trend of continuous decline since 2013.

"While the exact reasons for this are unknown, the latest data show that this was largely driven by an increase among men who have continued to be most at risk of dying by suicide.

"Looking at the overall trend since the early '80s, we are still witnessing a gradual decline in the rate of suicide for the population as a whole.