PENDLE and Burnley Samaritans say they are 'staggered' with the number of people who are turning to them for help.

More people are calling the charity's help-line than ever before. On average one person rings every 25 minutes.

Some 20,500 calls were received by the local branch in 1996 - a rise of 6,000 on 1995.

Volunteers say there are two main reasons for the increase - the new 0345 number, which means callers nearly always get through, and the way in which people are now encouraged to talk about their problems.

The director of the Pendle, Burnley and Rossendale Samaritans, Ian Hartley, told the Citizen: "We certainly have been much busier over the last 12 months than at any time during the 25 years that this branch has been open.

"The figure of 20,500 is interesting, but if you think of it in terms of human unhappiness it really is quite awesome."

He added: "Another fact is the increasing number of calls from men, which must mean that we are at last persuading them that there is nothing unmanly in talking about feelings.

"Many men now realise that there is nothing wrong with sharing their emotions. Perhaps before they bottled up their feelings or even took their own lives before talking to someone."

Ian paid tribute to the 105 volunteers who man the branch office in Nelson and the phone lines, adding: "If we have more volunteers it means we can go out and do more work to help people.

"A big recruitment drive is about to begin, so if anyone is interested in volunteering, now is the time to ring."

Phone Nelson 694929 or 01706 830999.

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