A building worker who was found hanged in a village near Bridgend is believed to be the third young victim from the same street.

Carwyn Jones, 28, and the two other victims Neil Owen, 26, and Sean Rees, 19, who grew up in the street in Bettws and were reported to be friends, died within two months of each other. Each of them was found hanged from trees.

Mr Jones, who was found by a woman passer-by in woodland, died on Monday, on the eve of the funeral of Mr Owen, and eight weeks after the death of Mr Rees.

The latest death brought to 22 the number of young people who are believed to have died in apparent suicides in the Bridgend area since the start of last year.

More than 150 people attended Mr Owen's funeral.

A neighbour of the trio, Patricia Dyke, said: "It is dreadful. All the lads around here know each other because it is a very close knit place. Something must be done to stop it."

A friend of Mr Jones's parents, Christine and David Jones, said: "They just can't take it in. He was happy-go-lucky and had everything to live for. He had a job and was a decent lad."

South Wales police said: "We are investigating a sudden death in Bettws on behalf of the coroner. It is not being treated as suspicious."

Mr Owen, a bar worker, who died on June 6, found it difficult to cope with the loss of Mr Rees, a Sainsbury's supermarket worker.

Within days of Mr Rees being found hanged, Mr Owen posted a message on his Bebo site, which read: "RIP Sean, Going to miss you so much fella. You and me were like brothers, It feels like there is a part of me missing now. XXX."

South Wales Police rejected links between the deaths of the three men.

A spokesman said: "Geographically they are from the same part of Bridgend and because it is a small community and they are of a similar age group they are bound to know each other, but that is as far as it goes.

"It has been reported that Neil Owen and Sean Rees were friends but we are not aware of any friendships with the latest young man. It is separate altogether, the deaths are not linked."