THERE are not many people willing or with the necessary qualities to take on the position and responsibilities held by Bewdley's Eric Rowland.

He has been branch director of The Worcester Samaritans for 14 months, and plays a vital role in giving advice both on the phone and in person to members of the public who have sunk to the depths of despair, and in some cases, are contemplating suicide.

Mr Rowland, who is also president of Bewdley Rotary Club, said: "It is my responsibility to ensure that the office is always open, staffed with trained volunteers and has the resources to operate successfully.

"We need £20,000 a year to keep going , to help people feeling distressed and sometimes suicidal. We do everything possible to raise funds,with flag days, coffee mornings, raffles and a whole host of other activities."

Mr Rowland, who has been a Samaritan for 22 years, became involved when he was confronted with a personal situation as a Scout leader.

He explained: "One of my Scouts told me his friend had run away from home and was in a state of distress. I managed to persuade him to go home and make up his differences with his parents but the whole episode had a big impact on me and I was determined to help others in the future."

He said one of the most difficult times of the year was the Christmas period.

He said: "It is a very sad time for recently bereaved people spending their first Christmas alone.

"Some people are often feeling suicidal and it is extremely hard for our staff to accept sometimes, but we have to respect the caller and simply listen.

"The first thing is not to encourage somebody out of committing suicide, it is to let them pour their feelings out to you.

"We don't see it as our right to tell the public what to do, the most vital element to our work is to empathise with the situation."

The 70-year-old, who was educated at Yardley Grammar School, Birmingham, added the most essential quality for anybody wanting to become a Samaritan is to be a positive listener.

Mr Rowland has to maintain the public's confidentiality in his job, but said he has gained enormous satisfaction out of helping others.

He said: "I get a warm feeling when I know I have been in the right place at the right time for someone and helped them to see some light at the end of the tunnel."

Anybody interested in becoming a Samaritan can contact Mr Rowland on 01905 21121.