Samaritans volunteers could quit if branches are closed, say local directors

A Samaritans sign in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire. The proposals would close half of its branches. Photograph: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

Samaritans has been warned that thousands of its helpline volunteers could quit if controversial proposals to close half of its 200 local branches over the next decade go ahead.

The mental health charity, sometimes regarded as the fourth emergency service, has about 22,000 volunteers answering calls and messages from people in crisis in the UK and Ireland.