While most people look forward to the coming festivities, for some the Christmas season brings nothing but despair.

For the Samaritans, the charity which offers confidential emotional support to people with problems, it is the busiest time of the year.

The Oxford branch, whose counsellors deal with 100 calls from the public every day, is expecting an increase of 10 per cent. On the night of Wednesday, December 18, Oxfordshire ambulance crews dealt with seven overdose cases.

Mike Broun, publicity officer for the Oxford headquarters at 123 Iffley Road and its new drop-in premises at 60 Magdalen Road, east Oxford, said the extra calls caused a noticeable end-of year blip in their 35,000 annual total.

"We don't keep records of why people ring us, but over the last few years there has been a 10 per cent rise in the number of telephone contacts," said Mr Broun.

"It has a lot to do with loneliness. They see the Christmas lights going up and people going out to enjoy themselves.

"Their marriages may have broken up, or their families don't ring, or they may have lost a partner or a loved one, and their feelings are exaggerated by seasonal jollity."

He said that the Samaritans, which also have regional branches in Banbury, Newbury and Reading, expected to receive the bulk of such calls between 10pm and 2am -- usually the time when most people with problems feel at their lowest ebb.

"People tend to ring during these times, regardless of what day of the week it is," said Mr Broun.

The Oxford Samaritans can be called on 01865 722122 contacted by e-mail on jo@samaritans.org