AN innovative pilot scheme to help Bury children cope with the breakdown of their parents' marriage could be launched later this year.

Bury Relate is involved in talks with several local schools prior to going ahead with the initiative in September.

Now the former marriage guidance council, based in Parkhills Road, Bury, is appealing for funding to get the scheme off the ground.

Bury Relate is one of many centres which hopes to offer the specialist service to youngsters.

Last week, it was reported how a 12-year-old Bradford girl took her own life with a drugs overdose because she was unable to cope with the breakdown of her parents' marriage.

The charity says that this tragic case emphasises the need for parents to effectively manage conflict in their relationship and communicate with their children. But, says Relate, it also highlights the need to offer help to youngsters. Bury Relate counsellor Lorraine Twigg commented: "We have three counsellors trained to help teenagers.

"With the local education authority's support, we are currently negotiating with several local schools to operate a pilot counselling scheme, hopefully to start in September.

"We already have a number of referrals which proves that the need is definitely there."

Stressing the need to secure funding for the project, she added: "With one out of every two marriages likely to end in divorce, we must do everything possible to launch this successfully and help as many young people in Bury as we can."

Anyone wanting information about Relate, or its teenage counselling plans, can contact Bury manager Joyce Siddall on 764 4113.

Offers of financial help can also be made on the same number.