SWINDON'S relationship counselling service has seen the number of calls for help rise by eightfold since the New Year.

The festive period is traditionally a stressful time and Relate Swindon, which offers support to couples experiencing relationship problems, knows the problem only too well.

In the week before Christmas, counsellors were receiving around three calls daily. Now, they are getting up to 26 calls a day.

Barrie, 57, counselling supervisor for Swindon and Gloucester, said: "It is certainly fair to say that following the Christmas break, we have got significantly more calls.

"This is linked to people spending more time together. People are not as comfortable with that as they might think. Often they will see that they have differences in the way they see their relationship.

"At Christmas people tend to challenge these differences and expect each other to adopt their own views. The trouble starts when neither side backs down."

Barrie, who has helped hundreds of Swindon couples over the past 12 years, tries to take a relaxed and informal approach to patching up relationship difficulties.

"Relate is here to give couples an opportunity to explore those differences in the hope that it brings about more understanding," he said.

"With understanding comes a greater degree of wisdom which allows change."

The excitement and stress of the Christmas period can provide the ideal conditions for arguments.

"Most problems are a result of misunderstandings where partners are not operating on the same wavelength," said Barrie. In the majority of cases, problems can be resolved. Most couples need around six one-hour sessions to talk through their worries.

"Helping people resolve their difficulties is incredibly rewarding," said Barrie.

"When they leave us their problems are untangled. It is a lovely thing to see."

For others however, break-ups are the only option. But that does not mean an end to the support. Barrie said: "New Year is a time for resolutions and sadly people do decide that it's time for a fresh start. We are keen to offer support to both partners allowing them to move forward on their own."

The latest figures from National Statistics reveal divorces are on the rise nationwide.

Figures published last autumn show in 2001, 157,000 divorces were granted by the courts. In 2002, that figure rose to 160,000.

Relate can be contacted on 01793 527664.

Kevin Shoesmith