YOUNGSTERS with family problems could soon be able to use mobile phones to text their worries to trained counsellors.

Advice would then be sent by text back to them.

Bolton and Wigan Relate already sends counsellors into 10 local secondary schools to help hundreds of children as young as 11 come to terms with divorce and other family relationship concerns.

Now the Bolton branch of the charity is looking for funding to set up a confidential service for text messaging to trained counsellors using a special computer software package.

It comes at a time when a large percentage of marriages are failing.

Centre manager Bev Wells said: "So many children these days use their mobile phones for texting that it makes sense to make our service available to them this way as well, and we are looking into this."

She added: "There are many problems associated with the break-up of relationships and with what we call these days reconstituted families".

"Quite often, opening up to one of our counsellors is the first time that some children have been able to talk about their feelings.

"Some of them feel very guilty that they might be the cause of the break-up, or isolated because there may be acrimony between parents and they are being forced to choose between them."

The system of sending counsellors into schools, funded over three years with a Lottery grant of £192,000, was working very well so far, she said, and Relate was now hoping to recruit more counsellors to extend this scheme.

The Bradford Street-based organisation has about 70 general counselling appointments a week to cover, and needs more people to come forward who have counselling qualifications, or other qualifications in areas such as youth work or teaching.

Relate also needs people to train as counsellors and go on the graduate skills training course, which cost £1,000 each, "but we are looking towards offering bursaries," said Bev.

Relate - started more than 60 years ago by a Rugby clergyman who recognised the stress on families of men going off to war - is offering many services today to cope with the growing demand for specific counselling and help in relationships.

There are now sex therapy sessions and courses on life skills including parenting, divorcing and moving on.

Relate also offers counselling to same-sex relationships.

"Not all our work is for couples in crisis, though," said Bev.

"We are involved in a lot of positive work beforehand for many people. Most of the difficulties people experience revolve around a lack of communication with each other."

Bolton and Wigan Relate, which covers Leigh, also uses volunteers as "first voice staff", answering phones and on reception, which also involves training.

To find out more about volunteering for Relate and about its services, telephone 01204 528302, email enquiries@boltonrelate.co.uk or visit the national website on www.relate.org.uk