Samaritans in Bradford were inundated with calls as Blue Monday' lived up to its reputation as the most depressing day of the year yesterday.

Volunteers at the Bradford branch of the Samaritans said their phones did not stop ringing from 8am when the office opened.

Sue Harrison, director of the Bradford branch of the Samaritans, said: "It was particularly busy yesterday which surprised us because it was a nice sunny day and good weather usually means people are happier.

"Mondays are usually a bad day because it's the start to the week. Volunteers said their phones were ringing constantly from the beginning to the end of the day."

She said the types of calls they received were not unusual ones.

"People were ringing in with problems like debt, relationship problems and feeling miserable after Christmas," said Mrs Harrison.

Blue Monday was first designated by Cardiff University psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall who came up with an equation to calculate the worst day of the year.

He worked out we are most likely to get the blues in the final full week of January because of the combination of bad weather, Christmas debts and broken New Year's resolutions.

Mrs Harrison said the surge in calls could also be down to the fact that Blue Monday had received a lot of publicity.

She said: "When you highlight emotional stresses and support networks you do get a surge in calls because people are more aware of the fact that there is help out there for them.

"People aren't always aware of the services available and that means that when they are highlighted more people may call more than usual."

Despite witnessing a surge in calls for help yesterday Britain has been listed as a nation of optimists, according to new research.

The poll found 85 per cent of Britons expect to be happier in the future than they are now.

The Scottish were the most optimistic, closely followed by the Irish, then people in the South West with Yorkshire rated as the fourth happiest region.

People in the West Midlands had the least positive outlook on life, with London and the South East making up the bottom three, the study by Standard Life Bank found.

The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day on (01274) 547547.

'Cheered by the sunshine'

We asked people if they felt depressed on so-called Blue Monday.

"Debt after Christmas is definitely something that depresses a lot of people but I don't feel overly depressed today, no. I think we are on the whole a very optimistic nation."

Richard Russell, 30, of Bradford, works for Bradford Theatres as a lighting technician.

"I am really happy. The sun is shining and it's a lovely day. I have nothing to be feeling depressed about."

Farhat Bibi, 35, of Bradford, a housewife.

"Today I am not at all depressed. I have everything to be happy about I have three wonderful sons and feel blessed to be alive. The weather is beautiful too and that helps me feel happy."

Athlasa Beghum, 38, of Bradford, a housewife with three sons.

"I would definitely agree that today is the most depressing day. I feel very down because it is so cold out and it's winter."

Arvinder Gill, 19, of Thornbury, who works for the Abbey.

"I'm really happy today but that's probably because I'm going on holiday tomorrow. I think the weather plays a massive part in how people feel so really today we should be feeling happy because the sun is shining."

Andrew Davies, 21, of Rawdon, who works in customer care.

"I feel good today because instead of all the wind and rain we have been having recently we have been blessed with glorious sunshine."

Ken Wilson, 66, of Hipperholme, near Brighouse, who is retired.