The Samaritans has suffered a 15 per cent drop in donations in the last year.

The counselling service's Brighton and Hove District branch is now looking at ways to ensure the funding crisis does not continue next year.

While the number of people using the service has increased, revenues have fallen sharply.

A spokesman for the Brighton Samaritans, which offers free counselling 24 hours a day, every day of the year, says the drop in funding has been experienced by Samaritan services throughout the country as the charity market has become more competitive.

She said: "The money needs to go further and there are a lot of organisations which need money and if it's spread across a wider board there's less money for everyone.

"We're quite concerned as we've done more fundraising this year. We've worked very hard this year."

The centre in Clarendon Road, Hove, which has been running for 30 years, needs £30,000 a year to be able to operate and it only managed to reach the target this year after receiving a £5,000 donation from an individual.

Managers at the centre, which received 18 per cent more calls last year from people needing counselling, are planning to meet in the next few months to tackle the funding crisis.

The centre has applied to the National Lottery for funding to enable it to move to premises which will have access and facilities for the disabled, but the centre needs to raise money itself to be able to continue to train volunteers and keep the service in operation.

The centre will even have volunteers manning the phone on Christmas day and is expecting a ten per cent increase in people calling during the Christmas period.

Anyone who wants to make a donation, become a volunteer or contact the centre can call (01273) 772277.