SAMARITANS in Bury opened a new door to help people in distress.

After a five-year wait the Samaritans' new premises in Knowsley Road was formally opened by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, Councillor John Costello, and his wife, Anne.

Unlike their former premises in Crostons Road, the new office will boost disabled access and wheelchair facilities.

The building also boasts a new visitors' room for people who want to speak to a trained volunteer face to face. The move was made possible through fund-raising and a bequest by Holcombe Brook woman, the late Mrs Gladys Bridge, who left her estate to a dozen local charities, including the Samaritans. To honour her donation, the new office has been named Bridge House.

One of the key reasons for the move was so that the office would be more centrally located and more accessible for people.

The Samaritans can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week and people can drop-in for a confidential chat.

Mr Peter Tristram, director, said: "It is great move. We have been waiting for this for a long time.

"The new office is more central and more accessible. The facilities are better and we are thrilled with the new premises."

The Samaritans can be contacted on 764 0055.

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