The number of calls to the Samaritans helpline has more than doubled since the phone number became free.

The charity has answered 1.2 million calls for help since the service became free of charge two years ago.

The Samaritans answers up to 1,700 calls every day from people in need of support or help.

The end of call charges became possible after a partnership with Ireland's six major telecoms companies.

Executive director of Samaritans Ireland, Catherine Brogan, said that it has made a huge difference to the support they can offer.

"About 75-80% of our calls come in on a mobile, and if you have no credit, you can still contact Samaritans on the 116123 number," she said.

"And people are reaching out more for support, I think that message is getting out there that's it’s OK not to be OK, and that there are services there, and people are accessing our services particularly at an earlier point in their crisis."