A CUSTOMER horrified shop workers when he bought a knife, handed over a suicide note, and left the store - only to return with his throat cut.

The 49-year-old man was first seen in the Focus DIY store in Hickman Avenue, Highams Park, at around 9.00am on Tuesday.

He bought a cheap plastic craft knife with a retractable blade, and as he left the shop gave a note to the member of staff who served him.

The typed letter had his photo attached, and was addressed to the police. It was described by customer services manager Bill Wreathall as "rambling," and elaborately written.

Mr Wreathall said he called the police when he recognised the man in the photo as a regular customer, believed to live locally, who often seemed desperate to talk at length to staff.

Police advised workers not to approach the man, but were unable to track him down when they arrived. However around two hours later another member of staff found him back in the store's carpark, bleeding from a series of slash marks to the right side of his neck.

Mr Wreathall said he believed the act was a cry for help rather than a serious suicide attempt. He said: "He definitely needs help, but I don't think he meant to kill himself. He could have done if he had wanted to with that knife.

"I didn't feel threatened, or in any danger, and I don't think anyone else here did, but the girls are a bit shaken up by it all."

Police were called a second time. The man was given first aid on the scene, before he was sectioned and taken to Whipps Cross University Hospital for treatment.