A new counselling service is being launched to help Bradford's Muslim community to cope with problems like sexual abuse and drug and drink addiction.

And volunteers are needed to become counsellors for the new scheme.

A team of volunteer counsellors will be based at Morley Street Resource Centre, Morley Street, in Bradford and will provide 24-hour help for people from Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities.

The Muslim Counselling Service hopes to train up to 50 members of the city's Asian population to run the new support group which will be set up later this year.

As well as a confidential telephone helpline service, there will be a daily drop-in centre. And creche facilities will be available at the centre during counselling sessions.

Organiser Mumtaz Khalifa said the service was the first of its kind in Bradford and is aimed at people between 18 and around 50 years old.

"There is nothing else that is aimed specifically at the Muslim community," she said.

"We'll be looking at some of the problems which affect individuals and their families, and through counselling will try and help them to cope - both emotionally and practically.

"The issues will include marriage problems, sexual and physical abuse, emotional problems, and drug and alcohol abuse.

"Empowering people to help the Muslim community can help to create harmony within that community.

"Volunteers will need to have a Muslim perspective but the counselling will be non-judgemental and will be in a completely confidential environment."

Mumtaz said part of the counsellors' role would be to provide guidance to help people accept their identity as Muslims in a Western community and give them the confidence to deal with any challenges they face.

"The aim is to help people gain self-confidence and clear directives of their objectives in life," she said.

"It transcends politics and culture."

Volunteers will be sent on weekend training courses, they will be trained by qualified counsellor Yashwant Patel and those who complete the programme will receive a certificate.

The training, funded by Bradford Council's social services department, will take place at Morley Street Resource Centre. Although the course is free, those taking part will be required to pay a £50 refundable deposit.

Anyone wanting more information is asked to ring Mumtaz on 07990 595186 or Zara Aslan on (01274) 757962 by April 26.