TWO men trying to overcome personal tragedy, including the death of a 14-year-old daughter in a traffic accident, have come up with a unique way to help others.

Steve Vasey, whose daughter Cheryl died in a road traffic accident three years ago, and Matthew Mackie, whose wife Margaret suffers from MS, have established a completely free Internet counselling service.

The two friends, both from the Durham City area, came up with the idea while undergoing Samaritans training.

Mr Vasey was featured in The Northern Echo earlier this year, for becoming involved in a counselling group, specifically for people involved in traffic accidents.

He and Mr Mackie became interested in counselling after struggling to find help themselves.

Mr Mackie said: "I used to work as a salesman who clocked up 55,000 miles a year. It was a lonely, stressful job, and there would be no one to talk to at the end of the day, except maybe the barman.

"If this type of business had been around then, I could have simply opened my laptop and asked for help."

Mr Vasey, who lives with his wife Lynn and son Lee, 19, said the service was free and there would be no waiting list. Often, people wanting to see an NHS counsellor wait nine months.

The pair hope the Internet site, which they say is a world first, will work by attracting other help groups to offer their services on the site. The other groups will be charged to use the site, which can be found at www.freehelpline.co