Nearly 700 people in Havering called the Samaritans helpline over the festive period last year – and the charity is expecting another busy spell this year.

Samaritans, which offers confidential support to those who need to talk over their problems, received 683 calls for support between December 12, 2011 and January 6 this year.

The charity’s Joe Sturdy said: “We are one of the few emotional support helplines open 24 hours a day over Christmas. We are available via the telephone and e-mail to help those who need to talk about whatever’s troubling them.

“We listen and we care. We do not judge. We simply give people a safe place to talk – to be who they are and talk about whatever they’ve done.”

A new survey suggests many of those seeking support this New Year will be concerned about finance. A YouGov poll commissioned nationally by Samaritans shows that half of all Londoners put money and debt in their “top five” worries, five per cent up on last year.

Concerns about relationships are also up to 39 per cent from last year’s 24 per cent.

To contact Samaritans over the New Year or at any other time, call 08457 90 90 90, email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org.