The partner of a man who took his own life on Mother's Day has spoken of her devastation over his death.

Ross Taylor, 30, initially disappeared from his home in Mayfield, in Midlothian, on March 31.

The dad-of-three's body was later recovered from woodland beside Crichton Castle, Pathhead, on April 5.

Mr Taylor's partner, Laura D'Arcy, told STV News that she misses the life that they had.

She said: "I miss so many things about Ross. Every day without him is torture.

"We did so many things together. We had so many hopes and dreams and our future together was looking so happy.

"On the morning Ross left, he let me have a lie-in and made me breakfast-in-bed as it was Mother's Day.

"He then got dressed and left. Nothing could have prepared me for what was about to happen."

The couple first met six years ago while working at Toys 'R' Us.

As well as stepchildren Liam, eight, and Jessica, six, Mr Ross was also the father to baby boy Lewis, who is now seven-months-old.

In tribute to how Mr Taylor and Ms D'Arcy met, the couple gave Lewis the middle name Geoffrey after the Toys 'R' Us giraffe mascot as a reminder of where they fell in love.

Ms D'Arcy, 30, said: "It has been very difficult, especially since Lewis is learning new things that Ross would have been so proud of.

"Liam and Jessica miss Ross so much as he was such a big part of their lives, they are receiving great support from their school.

"I feel watching Lewis reach new milestones without Ross so hard as we should be sharing these moments together."

When Mr Taylor disappeared, a massive search operation took place.

Alongside police officers, 32 mountain rescue personnel were involved along with search dogs, a drone team, and rescue helicopter.

In addition to Ms D'Arcy's searches, Mr Taylor's workmates at energy company SSE also went out in their vans to help look.

Following Mr Taylor's death, members of the community donated food, household items and toys to the family.

Ms D'Arcy will now put her best foot forward to take part in a charity walk to help raise awareness of mental health.

Chris's House - Walk of Hope will take place in Glasgow and Midlothian on Saturday, May 11.

Starting at Glasgow Science Centre at 4.15am, participants will "walk from the darkness into the light" as dawn breaks.

Ms D'Arcy is taking part in the Midlothian event, which begins at Shawfair Park and Ride at the same time.

Ms D'Arcy hopes to raise money for the Wishaw-based crisis centre, where people suffering from suicidal or intrusive thoughts can go and find refuge.

She added: "My message to anyone who may be struggling is do not bottle it up.

"See someone, speak to someone and know that you are loved and there is help if and when needed.

"No family should have to go through this.

"So many people have been affected by Ross' story and if it saves just one person or one family from having to go through this pain then it all helps.

"I will keep raising awareness for mental health, especially in men.

"I will forever ask myself 'why?' and I will never know the answer.

"Ross was such a loving partner and devoted dad - he simply was the best."

To take part in the Walk of Hope 2019, sign up via eventbrite.com/e/chriss-house-walk-of-hope-midlothian-tickets-54656537174.