THE Samaritans in Gwent say they are bracing themselves for a large increase in the number of calls they receive as Corus redundancies begin to bite.

The group, based in Stow Hill, Newport, has seen the number of calls it receives increase by a quarter over the last year - while the number of volunteers has dropped.

A spokesman for the charity said: "We need more volunteers in Gwent. We are anticipating a lot more calls as a result of the Corus redundancies.

"The fact that Corus has now accelerated the redundancies at Llanwern has had a focusing effect on the workforce.

"The feelings of shock, anger, resentment and fear are now settling over the steelworking community."

He said the Samaritans were working with industrial chaplain Bob Paul, of the Newport and Gwent Industrial Mission, which has developed an approach to counselling those hit by redundancy.

The Samaritans are hoping to attract more volunteers to deal with the workload.

"The number of calls has gone up in the last year by 25 per cent. In the rural areas that may be because of the strain on farmers and businessmen of foot-and-mouth. In the towns, it is the pressure of modern life that is having an effect.

"We really need more volunteers. We have between 70 and 80 at present. That number is falling, when really we need more than 100."

Volunteers would be asked to do three or four hours a week and, where possible, one night shift a month.

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the Samaritans on 01633 259000.

The charity will also have information available when it is collecting at Sainsbury's, Cwmbran, on May 19, and Chepstow Racecourse in June.