A 24-HOUR counselling service for stressed employees is being launched in Derwentside next month.

It will be run by No1 Priority Health at the Business Centre, in Consett.

Health officials have noticed an increasing number of employees on long-term sickness absence suffering from stress, anxiety and depression.

The service will provide trained counsellors to give people someone to talk to so they can overcome their problems. The idea came from occupational health specialist Sheila Flood and is the first in the region to offer a round-the-clock helpline for employees.

Ms Flood said: "During the past two years, we have been working with local businesses carrying out pre-employment health screening, manual handling and first aid training.

"One of the highest recurring problems companies experience is sickness absence, which costs them both in lost production and extra pressure on the existing workforce.

"We're convinced that many of the problems leading to sickness can be identified and sorted out with the right counselling and support."

The service will be launched on Wednesday, April 6, and will be staffed by trained counsellors who can deal with issues such as stress in the workplace or at home, debt and matrimonial problems and general health issues.

Derwentside District Council is helping to market the project with posters advertising the telephone service.

Andrea McGuigan, marketing advice officer for the council, said: "We know there is a desperate need for this confidential service and it is going to be particularly pertinent when the new legislation on drug and alcohol abuse testing comes into force.

"We are aware of the excellent on-site service that No 1 Priority Health has been delivering with pre-employment checks and other occupational training, and believe that the 24-hour counselling service is a natural progression to help local businesses to keep a healthy workforce."

Companies wanting to attend the launch event to find out how they can benefit can contact Ms Flood on (01207) 583999.