Plans for a new centre to keep children of divorced parents in contact could be at risk because of a lack of volunteers.

The Salvation Army in Holroyd Hill, Wibsey, Bradford, was hoping to open a child contact centre to give children a vital opportunity to meet up with a parent who no longer lives with them.

Despite holding an information day this week to attract volunteers to run the centre, the response has been poor.

Major Paul McNally, said: "The idea is that when parents are divorcing or separating it is important for the children to keep in contact with the parent not living at home. A child contact centre gives them an opportunity to meet once a week for an hour or so with the parent who isn't living with them and when they can't meet anywhere else."

There are more than 280 child contact centres in the country, including several in Bradford, but a social audit carried out by Major McNally, which involved contacting family solicitors and family agencies, established the need for another one.

According to research, about 50 per cent of fathers who are going through a divorce or separation have lost contact with their children within two years.

The idea behind a contact centre is to reduce the chances of this estrangement happening. It provides a neutral place for the children to meet up with their parent.

A spokesman for the National Association of Child Contact Centres, said: "Volunteers need to be calm and caring. Duties usually involve one Saturday morning or afternoon every six weeks."

Despite the setback, Mayor McNally is undaunted and says he is still continuing to look for people who can help him get the project off the ground.

"If people are interested they should contact me at the Salvation Army Centre in Wibsey on (01274) 677591," he said.

"Give us a ring and we will give you more information. We hope to start training over the summer and want to get the centre off the ground in the autumn."