LANCASTER and District Samaritans have launched an awareness campaign encouraging people coping with A-level and GCSE results to use their website.

The site at www.samaritans.org highlights symptoms of depression and stress and offers advice for dealing with personal crisis which can be triggered when results are published.

Branch director Jenny Soothill said: "Today, amongst the celebrations of those who have been successful, there are hundreds of students fighting with disappointment over their results or simply the emotional backlash of months of stress and anxiety.

"Talking about feelings is a step in the right direction and we are here to listen to you 24 hours a day."

Lancaster Samaritans can be contacted on 01524 61666, by email on jo@samaritans.org or by writing to Chris, 21 Sun Street, Lancaster, LA1 1EW.