CHRISTMAS is meant to be one of the happiest times of the year but, in reality, it is a season when many people hit an all-time low.

The main source of unhappiness comes from problem relationships either with partners or relatives.

The good news is that help is at hand from a team of counsellors at the Relate service, based in Chute House, Basingstoke.

Senior counsellor Jackie Coventry, who has been helping people at Relate for the last five years, said: "Christmas is meant to be a wonderful time but actually there is extra pressure on all of us.

"You find yourself doing things you don't want to do and trying to please everyone, like having the in-laws over.

"If you've already got problems in a relationship, having enforced time together can create a pressure cooker effect where you end up having a big row on Christmas Day or Boxing Day."

This month, Relate staff have found themselves inundated with people looking for help this Christmas.

A common problem is couples who want to leave relationships but keep putting it off because of Christmas.

Jackie explained: "At Christmas, there are huge expectations and it becomes a reason not to do things.

"It's about balancing and realising it's not going to be perfect - being realistic.

"It all boils down to communication and being able to do this effectively."

Families, especially children affected by the breakdown of relationships, are carefully looked after by the Relate team.

Help is given if children are spending Christmas elsewhere or if it is someone's first Christmas in a "reformed" or step-family.

Useful tips are also given to those in loving long-distance relationships or to newly single people, encouraging them to realise they are not alone and that they will be feeling much better this time next year.

But it isn't just couples that come to the centre for help. A service called Relateen is available for young people aged between 11 and 18 whose families are breaking up, helping to address uncertain feelings about the future.

A Relate service for parents is also available to look at the issues of divorce, separation and family break-up.

The good news, of course, is that Relate really does work in helping to get many relationships back on track.

Jackie said: "We do put people back together again."