MARRIED men who are attracted to other men are being offered secret help as Bolton launches a new sex support group.

Health experts have taken the lead from sea-side town Portsmouth who have been inundated by calls for help after launching its own self-help facility.

Andrew Mulholland, from Bolton's Specialist Health Promotion Service, believes there is a need in the town for men suffering in silence with their sexuality.

Mr Mulholland said: "Nationally, these schemes have been set up and they have had a large response from men who have no-one to talk to about their sexuality. In Portsmouth, they got more than 300 calls in the first two months. We believe Bolton will be similar."

The group, launched on Wednesday, is being funded by the Community Health Trust for Wigan and Bolton and the venue for the meetings is being kept secret.

Mr Mulholland explained: "The service is very confidential and we are keeping the venue for the meetings secret so as not to put off anyone wanting to take part.

"A lot of these men do not want other people to know."

Men from Bolton, Leigh and Wigan who need advice or would like to find out further details on the venue should contact 01204 362772 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7.30pm and 9.30pm.

Mr Mulholland said: "Sexuality is complex -- a lot of men find themselves attracted to other men and push their feelings to the back of their mind. They deny this part of their sexuality and get married or form relationships with women, this can cause problems when their feelings towards men become stronger and they feel that they have to do something about it."

Trained counsellors will be on hand to listen and advise.

Mr Mulholland will attend the meetings alongside Mr Elliot Brown from Wigan Health Promotion Service.