PEOPLE who will not see their families on Father's Day are being offered one-to-one support by a Bolton based fathers' rights group.

Saturday Fathers Together have booked three "confidentiality rooms" at a Heaton counselling centre over the weekend to provide advice and a sensitive ear for struggling family members.

The group is inviting any mothers, fathers, or youngsters who will be affected by Father's Day, this Sunday, to attend if they would like to air their problems.

Trained counsellors from Respect Counselling and Mentoring Project, are on hand at their base in Chorley Old Road, Bolton.

The counselling service has offered its services, as well as their base, free of charge to the fathers' group. In previous years, the group has set up a 24 hour helpline, which will also be active over the weekend, but found that people are more responsive and open to talk face-to-face.

Director of Saturday Fathers Together, Andy Kearney, said that black and Asian fathers are among the worst affected social groups when it comes to denial of parental rights.

You can visit the Respect office, 170 Chorley Old Road, between 9.30am and 4pm today or tomorrow. Alternatively, the freephone counselling line is on 0800 389 2609. Dads who need support can also ring 01204 370588, or contact them via e-mail: saturdayfatherstogether@bt internet.com.