VOLUNTEER numbers for the Samaritans in East Lancashire have dropped to their lowest point in more than 25 years because Britain has become a more "cynical" nation, says the charity.

And the pressures of combining family and working life have also created a population with less time to devote to helping others.

But director of the Blackburn branch, Joyce, said the sheer number of organisations and charities wanting volunteers to man their helplines was to blame for the drop.

She said: "I do not think it is the case that people are being put off becoming Samaritans. There are more and more helplines available now, all needing volunteers to man them. If someone decides they want to become a volunteer, there is a greater number of voluntary organisations for them to choose from.

"We are always looking for volunteers and need around 84 a week to keep our office manned 24 hours a day.

"Some branches cannot man the phones as efficiently as others and are desperate for help. This leads to calls having to be diverted to other offices in the area," she added.

Despite the decline in the number of volunteers, calls to the charity's 24-hour helpline have risen by 4% nationally over the last year, a lot of which is due to "the increasingly stressful society we live in," according to Joyce.

"Problems with work, family life or broken relationships are more frequent than maybe they were several years ago and we have volunteers from all walks of life to help."

The charity this week launched a nationwide recruitment campaign to promote its work, with Blackburn with Darwen Mayor Coun John Williams visiting the local branch to add his support.

Coun Williams, who has chosen to promote volunteer-based charities, including the Samaritans, during his year of office said: "Volunteers are the bedrock of our society and organisations like the Samaritans cannot function without them.

"By visiting the branch we hope to highlight the work the charity does and to thank its staff for the invaluable job they do."

The Blackburn branch will also host open days on Thursday, September 13 and Tuesday, September 18 at 8pm.

Anyone wishing to attend should contact the branch on 01254 662424. 'Preparation' sessions will then be held at the end of the month for those serious about becoming a volunteer.

One such volunteer Annette, who has been based at the Blackburn branch, which also covers Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, for 25 years, said: "I believe being able to talk to someone who will listen to your problems does lower tension and stress.

"We know ourselves what a relief it can be to share our worries with others. I don't think people are being put off becoming Samaritans but perhaps they don't realise how rewarding it can be."

Standard duties for a Samaritan is one three-hour session a week, with one overnight session a month. And support is always available within the organisation.