PEOPLE who have lost a loved one to suicide will have the opportunity to pay tribute at a special ceremony later this month.

The annual service will be held at the memorial tree in the grounds of Renfrewshire House, in Cotton Street, Paisley, on Thursday, January 25.

Members of the Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) support group will host the short service, which will also be attended by Renfrewshire Provost Lorraine Cameron, the Reverend Alan Birss, of Paisley Abbey, and Father John Eagers, on behalf of the Diocese of Paisley.

Friends and relatives are invited to meet in the marriage suite at Renfrewshire House from 3.15pm to collect a commemorative purple heart on which they can write a message to a loved one to place on the tree.

The service starts at 3.30pm and will be followed by a procession to the memorial tree, where Provost Cameron will lay a wreath.

Afterwards, light refreshments will be served at Paisley Abbey.

Provost Cameron said: “The memorial tree gives an opportunity for friends and family to come together to remember those who have been lost, while also having the chance to meet others who have faced similar heartache.

“I will be attending to pay my respects and I would encourage others to join me.”