BOLTON'S Samaritan volunteers had their busiest festive period, taking more than 200 calls over Christmas and New Year.

Despite being open only part time, 77 calls were taken on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with others being diverted to other branches when it was busy.

On New Year's Eve, the Bolton branch was open for 13 hours, with volunteers speaking to 86 people. A further 85 calls were received on New Year's Day, which is traditionally the busiest for the charity. Most calls concerned loneliness throughout the Christmas period.

Now the volunteer organisation is appealing for more people to help as it enters another busy period.

Margaret, who is publicity officer for the local branch (Samaritan volunteers do not reveal their surnames), said: "It is difficult to compare the figures year on year, but I would say the calls we took on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day were the busiest we have been for some years on those days. As expected, the calls included people who felt lonely - some literally had nobody to spend the festive season with - bereaved people, people away from home and people who were estranged from their family.

"The start of the New Year can be difficult, because it is when people reflect over the past year and things come to the fore. January and February are one of our busiest periods of the year."

A total of 15,504 calls were made to the Samaritans' national number during Christmas and New Year - an increase on the year before. Margaret said: "All the people who man the phones in Samaritan branches are volunteers, and give their time freely doing a duty each week for at least three hours.

"We have about 70 dedicated volunteers in the Bolton branch, but unfortunately we cannot man it 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so more volunteers are needed."

Anyne interested in becoming a volunteer should contact 01204 521 200 and quote Bolton. All volunteers receive training.