VOLUNTEERS for the Samaritans were kept busy over Christmas providing a listening ear for people with problems.

The Blackburn branch of the organisation took 170 calls from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day - up on last year's figure of 150. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were busiest.

Director of the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley branch, Joyce Flitcroft, said they expected to be even busier over the New Year period.

She said: "I think although Christmas is a very happy time for a lot of people, especially children, it can also be a time of distress.

"There can be great financial pressures and loneliness. It might be the first Christmas when someone is without a loved one who has died, or following a broken relationship.

"When you are on holiday you have more time to think about problems and when families are thrown together sometimes tensions can rise."

Joyce said there had been a lot of publicity about the new millennium which might well heighten feelings of loneliness and isolation for many people.

"A lot of help agencies are closed over the holiday period but the Samaritans are always available, every day of the year," she said.

Anyone with worries can contact the Samaritans on 01254 662424, 24 hours a day, or can call in to the office at 105 New Park Street, Blackburn, from 8am to 10pm if they would prefer to talk to someone in person.

Volunteers are always needed and anyone interested should also ring 01254 662424. Introductory evenings are held regularly.

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