SAMARITANS will be heading down to Northwich railway station this week to mark 'Talk to Us', the charity’s annual awareness month, which runs throughout July.

On Thursday, July 24, volunteers from the charity will have a presence at the town's station, raising awareness with commuters about the importance of talking, and Samaritans’ round the clock service for anyone struggling to cope.

The event has been initiated by Northern whose employees will be working alongside Samaritans volunteers during morning rush hour between 7am and 10am.

Northern has also included the Samaritans' helpline number on the side of 14 of its trains running right across the north of England.

Natalie Loughborough, Customer Service Director for Northern, said: 'Northern is a community focused train operator and is proud to support Samaritans on 24 July with their national 'Talk to Us' event.

"Our employees will be donating their time to help raise awareness of Samaritans' service across the north of England."

Bob Howe, Regional Marketing Officer for Samaritans in Yorkshire & Humberside region said: "Raising awareness of our service during the morning rush hour, to so many rail commuters is really important.

"We want people to recognise the value of talking, rather than bottling things up. People can get in touch with Samaritans’ service by phone, email and text, as well as visiting a branch to speak to a volunteer face to face. We are here round the clock, every single day of the year."

Samaritans answers more than five million calls a year from people of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances. The charity’s 21,200 volunteers deliver the service at 201 branches across the UK and Ireland.

People up and down the country can get involved by simply texting ‘SUPPORT’ to 70080* to make a £4 donation which is the cost to the charity of answering one call for help.