Prince William has issued a call for 3,000 volunteers to launch the UK’s first 24/7 mental health texting service.

The Duke of Cambridge said he wanted to utilise the UK’s “incredible national volunteer community” to link up trained home-based support with people suffering anything from suicidal thoughts to anxiety and loneliness.

He revealed that the Shout service has been quietly trialled over the last year during which it has already helped 60,000 people.

Backed by the Royal Foundation, the joint charitable vehicle for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the system has so far enlisted approximately 1,000 volunteers, but aims to reach 4,000 by the end of the year.

It is modelled on Crisis Text Line, which since being established in the US in 2013 has processed more than 100 million messages and been credited with saving countless lives.

Announcing the initiative alongside the Duchess of Cambridge at Kensington Palace, the Duke said it would be a “huge difference to people’s lives”.

“As texting is private and silent it opens up a whole new way to find support,” he said.

“You can have a conversation anywhere any time - at school on the bus, anywhere.