MARRIAGE guidance counselling is back on offer in Selby in a bid to stem the growing number of divorce casualties.

Counsellors operating out of York have seen more than 100 couples from the Selby area in the last 12 months - up by 10 per cent on the previous year.

Bosses at the Relate offices in Priory Street, York, say they expect an even greater demand now they have established a new base at 23A Finkle Street, Selby.

Relate manager, Jenni Stirke, said the rising number of clients would have been higher, but Selby couples were deterred from travelling to York by transport and financial problems.

The new Selby service will be launched on Thursday, July 2, and will be strictly by appointment only.

With only one counsellor to call on at present, sessions will be restricted to Thursday only, but a second counsellor is being trained to expand the service.

Relate used to have an office in New Lane, Selby, but it folded about six years ago because of problems with funding and premises.

Mrs Stirke said: "We're delighted to be back. The need for our presence has been emphasised by local GPs, the district's Association of Voluntary Services and the local community."

She said York relate had provided almost 3,000 counselling hours in the past year - about 20 per cent of which had been taken up by Selby area clients. They were now looking to recruit voluntary counsellors and a receptionist to keep pace with demand.

Relate will share the Finkle Street offices with York-based drug resource scheme, Compass, which has agreed to waive the rental while the new service gets established.

The initiative is also being supported by Selby Town Council with a £500 grant and the possibility of further funding once it is up and running.

Selby GP Rennie Lord, who has campaigned for Relate to re-establish a presence in the town, said it was excellent news.

He said: "We surveyed health professionals in the area and one of the key findings was the need for counselling for couples with relationship problems.

"Over the past 10 years there has been an influx of over 10,000 people into the area, and when people are on the move there are extra stresses. Relate can help to pick up the pieces."

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