ARE you stressed-out? Up-tight about your love-life? Feeding a drink problem? Worrying about the gas or electricity bills? Fed-up with the mother-in law? Or simply just fed-up?

Whatever the problem, help is round the corner. Or, to be precise, down at the supermarket if you live in the Canterbury area.

The management of Asda's store in Sturry Road are planning to appoint a chaplain to offer the 70,000 shoppers that pour through their checkouts every week a friendly shoulder to cry-on in times of worry.

The store chaplain will be briefed to tackle a multitude of customer problems, from family grief and marital crisis to concerns about teenage acne, West Ham's lack of goal-punch, and how best to handle a dog that bites the postman.

Nothing and no subject, however trivial, will be too onerous for the new chaplain to consider when he or she pulls on a dog-collar, pins-on an Asda identification badge, and begins to spread the gospel up and down aisles stacked with breakfast cereals, cans of beans and toiletries.

Asda is inviting all denominations to volunteer personnel as part of the supermarket chain's community involvement scheme but only one appointment will be made.

The store chaplain will be expected to offer only a couple of hours voluntary service a week but Asda believe the spin-off from the initiative could also boost church attendances.

Tim Wickenden, Asda's events co-ordinator, explained: "Asda appointed their first-ever in-store chaplain at Broadstairs three years ago and now we have 40 in our 256 stores.

"The job is not about preaching. The chaplain is there to chat to customers, and pack their bags at the checkout if necessary. If the advice needed is sensitive, we will have a private room available to ensure confidentiality.

"The role will also provide the opportunity for the chaplain to meet members of his or her congregation, young and elderly, in a more informal environment."

Store manager Pat Gamble said: "The store chaplain has proved very successful in a number of our stores. The job is certainly not about preaching. The chaplain is there for a friendly chat."

Applicants are invited to contact Pat Gamble, Asda Store Ltd, Canterbury.