A PIONEERING telephone line for despairing youngsters received just two calls on its first night.

In both cases, the callers hung up without talking to the young volunteers who are manning the service run by the Central Durham branch of the Samaritans.

"It was a bit disappointing,'' said branch director Roger. "It could be that they were exploratory calls. We have just got to be patient.

"The big thing that we are missing is getting the telephone line number to young people.

"We are producing 5,000 credit card-sized cards that will be distributed to schools and youth clubs.

"We will also be putting notices in phone boxes and we hope to get posters in buses.''

Roger said that the volunteers took the first night in their stride. "They were absolutely splendid. They are first class.''

The line, which is open one night a week, was launched by the Durham-based branch amid concern at the rising number of teenagers and early twenties who harm or kill themselves.

Volunteers talked to youngsters and discovered that the Samaritans were perceived as old fashioned, religious and out of tune with the concerns of young people.

A group of local 16 to 21-year-olds, supported by adult Samaritans, have been trained to listen to calls.

The branch hopes that despairing and suicidal young people will feel more comfortable talking to their peers than to older people.

The scheme, the first in the country manned by and aimed at young people, is backed by the Samaritans nationally and could be extended if it proves successful.

The number to call, on Wednesdays between 6pm and 9pm, is (0800) 2986121.

l The branch is on the look-out for more adult volunteers to help with its work. Anyone interested should call the branch's headquarters in Sutton Street, Durham, on 0191-384 2727