Britain's red phone boxes are vanishing - could one idea for their replacement help prevent suicide?

Video report by ITV News Meridian's Glen Thompsett 

A man who hit rock bottom in his life following drug addiction has discovered how he could help others in a similar situation.

Craig Harker from Margate is campaigning for an easier way for people with addiction and mental health problems to contact the Samaritans.

His idea is to use technology that is still in place where many of the old phone boxes used to stand, to set up a special hotline with a direct link to the charity.

He said: "You have one button for the helpline, and you have one button for the emergency services.

"That little bit of light in the darkness could trigger someone, to get them out of that thought of that loneliness."

The dad of three said he felt he had nowhere to turn, but now he has ditched the drugs and has started running 5k every day to raise money for the hotline.

With his new found love of running to raise funds for the counselling service 'We Are With You' he is also hoping to attract the attention of backers to help launch the SOS service.

Jon Murray from the mental health charity said: "What Craig is doing is brilliant. His suggestion to put a helpline into those phone boxes for people to access crisis interventions when they need it is really important."

The 34-year-old admits he couldn't see an end to his past drug addiction and mental health problems, but after counselling, support and a newly formed ambition, he is determined to see his SOS helpline project succeed.

• Samaritans are available 24 hours a day on 116 123 or through their website.