A GRANDFATHER who was previously suicidal has spoken about his near death experience after taking an overdose in Stourport.

Four police officers fought a life and death battle to revive Robert Homer, who was found unconscious in a field close to his holiday home in Sandy Lane last July.

The 64-year-old went missing in the middle of the night and his family found evidence of the tablets he had taken.

Now, Mr Homer has decided to speak about the experience to encourage other people dealing with mental health issues to talk.

He told The Shuttle: "The only thing I remember is walking out of the caravan park and waking up in hospital.

"I'm still trying to cope with what happened. I'm not the same man as I was before.

"I don't think I will ever go back to how I was. I still have my ups and down.

"You have to be in a very dark place to even think about suicide."

Mr Homer says he has previously had family arguments and was taking on a large amount of hours at work.

"It was dragging me down. Something just tipped me over the edge," he said.

"I don't mind talking about it now. A few people have said to me 'I don't know how you can talk about.'

"I can't bottle it up - If I spoke before I wouldn't have ended up in that situation.

"I didn't have anybody who I felt I could talk. I speak much more about it with my family now.

Mr Homer, who lives with his son in Birmingham, says he is having ongoing psychiatric help. He has two children and five grandchildren.

Daughter Dawn said: "We thought we lost him three times. I was really sad.We didn't think we were going to get him back.

"My dad was very very lucky."

PCs Simeon Darrall-Jones, Ross Tipper and Paul Modley and another who cannot be identified received Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificates for saving Mr Homer.

Mr Homer and his family has thanked the officers again for their help, after previously sending a card to them from hospital.

Mr Homer added: "There's help out there, you just have to get out and get it."

Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts can contact the Samaritans for free help and advice by calling 116123 or email jo@samaritans.org.