An appeal has been launched by The Samaritans' Bradford Branch to find people willing to lend a listening ear.

Their lines, which are open 24-hours-a-day all through the year, are working flat out through the festive period.

And organisers say they would welcome good listeners who want to make joining The Samaritans their New Year's Resolution.

A spokesman said: "We are quite desperate for new volunteers to man the phones in Bradford. We are very stretched at the moment."

Part of that is due to a new centre in Skipton which was opened this summer to provide a face-to-face service for people outside the city.

"Many of our volunteers will be going out there and it will leave this large and busy branch in need of more manpower," she said. Last year volunteers in Bradford helped 23,311 people in need - 629 of those were face-to-face inquiries.

The Bradford area suffers about 50 suicides a year.

The Samaritans exist to provide emotional support for people in crisis. Christmas can be a catalyst for powerful emotions, and as the figures show, they are not always happy ones.

Nationally The Samaritans receives about 17 per cent more calls during Christmas week, and a further nine per cent in the week of the New Year.

Callers' common themes are:

feeling pressured to have a good time because of the long Christmas build-up

bereaved people suffer painful memories of Christmas

feelings of loneliness and isolation

problems with relationships coming to a head.

Volunteers need no qualifications or experience and age and background is immaterial.

However, you must be a good listener, open-minded, over 17 and able to maintain a regular three hour per week shift and an over-night duty once a month.

A spokesman said: "We listen positively to give those in need, giving them the opportunity to express their deepest feelings without fear or criticism. We don't advise, and we don't make judgements."

Information sessions will take place at 21 Malborough Road, Bradford, at 2pm on January 6 and 7.30pm on January 11.

A special introduction day is being held for prospective volunteers from 10am to 3.30pm on January 17.

Anyone wanting help from The Samaritans over the holiday period can either do so in person by calling in to 21 Malborough Road, Bradford, between 11am and 10pm every day or call anytime on (01274) 547547.

People living nearer the Skipton branch can visit in person at 28 Keighley Road, Skipton, between 11am and 2pm on New Year's Day and on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Or you can call the Skipton phone line on (01754) 700929 or the national number on (0345) 909090.

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