Vital calls to a helpline for people with mental health problems are being missed because of a shortage of volunteers.

Charity workers at the Hove-based National Schizophrenia Fellowship (NSF) Mental Healthline are desperate to recruit extra helpers.

About 20 people are needed for a new training programme which starts on January 18 but only eight people have come forward so far.

The line takes about 7,000 calls a year but sometimes only one in five callers is getting through.

The group tries to have two volunteers on call with a third person in reserve when the line is open but now wants to expand this to three volunteers on call with a fourth in reserve.

Co-ordinator Chris Brown said: "The volunteers who already work with us are doing an amazing job but the level of need in the community just outstrips the number of calls we can handle at the moment.

"We know from our callers that some people ring several times before we talk to them, which in itself can be distressing for isolated or anxious people.

"What worries us even more is that some people may not be getting support at all."

Volunteers are offered a comprehensive training package before agreeing to work for an average of three hours a week answering calls between 6pm and midnight any night.

Prospective volunteers should contact Mr Brown on 01273 709060 or visit the NSF web site at www. brightoncss.freeserve.co. uk