Bradford Samaritans is expecting an upsurge in calls in the new year as the Christmas credit card bills begin to roll in.

Nationally, the charity answers 2.8 million calls, letters and e-mails a year – one in ten of these are related to financial issues.

Bradford branch director Bill Roach said: “We generally get more calls at Christmas. I have asked around the volunteers and they are all concerned about how the bills coming in after the new year will affect people.

“We were all told how busy the shops were coming up to Christmas, but with the new year the bills come.”

He said there had been considerably more calls than usual over the last two months and the organisation was struggling to find enough volunteers to cope with the increased workload.

He said: “The existing volunteers are taking more calls and it means far more stress. We have 59 volunteers at the moment but we’d like up to 75.”

The charity is holding a recruitment drive with an introductory session to be held in January.

Mr Roach said: “We are looking for people who care, and who have time.

“Being a Samaritan makes you much more accepting of life – and while you might not always get a thank you it is still very rewarding,”

Mr Roach, who has worked with the organisation for more than 30 years, offered advice to anyone worried about a friend or family member.

He said: “People should speak to their family member and suggest if they can’t talk to someone they know they can call the Samaritans.

“Alternatively they could ring us and we will call the relative.”

Excessive irritability, feeling less energetic and acting out of character are among warning signs that people are finding it hard to cope.

If you are worried about someone, or would like help yourself, call the Samaritans on 08457 909090.

Anyone interested in volunteering can attend an introduction session at the branch in Mornington Villas, Manningham, on Saturday, January 10, at 2pm.