Samaritans is poised to cut branches

SUICIDE prevention charity Samaritans is to close some branches and merge others in what it has described as "challenging" changes.

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The confirmation comes after reports earlier this year that it was consulting on plans to close around half of its branches across the UK and Ireland.

That could equate to around 100 of the more than 200 locations it runs, with the charity saying at the time the current operation was "not sustainable".

Founded in 1953, the charity connects trained volunteers with people who may be struggling.