SAMARITANS in York have appealed for more people to volunteer for the charity - following its busiest week of the year.

Sandra Harper, director of the city's branch, said the first week in January had marked a peak in the number of calls received by the local helpline, based at Nunnery Lane.

She appealed for more people to come forward to offer their support to the charity.

Mrs Harper said: "We desperately need more people to answer the phone, but we also need people to do fundraising, because we are an individual charity.

"We are always looking for more people, but we are fairly desperate at the moment.

"There are not as many volunteers out there as there used to be. We are finding it difficult."

Her appeal comes after the national helpline revealed that Boxing Day was the Samaritans' busiest day of the festive season.

The charity received more than 5,300 calls to the nationwide line on the day after Christmas - up 29 per cent on the previous year.

New Year's Day traditionally marks the peak in the number of calls received by the charity, and saw a 22 per cent rise from December 31.

Mrs Harper said: "It has increased a lot. Last week was a very busy time for us. I think what generally happens is that people are having a bad year look forward to the new year as a new start.

"When January arrives nothing has changed. It is still the same old things, whatever they were dealing with in December.

"Over the Christmas period it is generally people who believe all the hype about having a fabulous time. If you have not got any family or friends it is not going to happen."

The Samaritans in York are holding an open day later this month, when people will be invited to the Nunnery Lane office on January 27, all morning from 9.30am.

People can go along to volunteer with the charity, or phone 01904 655888.