Samaritans will aways be there for you despite branch closure talks

Charity says services will still be available for 24 hours every day

- 

Suicide prevention charity Samaritans is planning to close more than 100 branches across the UK and Ireland, but says its services will remain available to anyone who needs them.

According to the BBC, the organisation's chief executive Julie Bentley has told staff in a presentation that it was "likely that within the next seven to 10 years our branch network will have reduced by at least half".

This could equate to around 100 of the more than 200 locations it runs, with the charity saying the current operation is "not sustainable".

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

The organisation estimates that it answers a call for help every 10 seconds and has insisted its volunteers will continue to be available as usual, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.