Relate, based in Jury Street, launched its new telephone appointment scheme last month to enable people to speak to counsellors without leaving their homes.

But the sessions are only open to South Warwickshire residents who are over 60, disabled, housebound, carers, black or from an ethnic background.

The lottery-funded scheme, which is run from offices in Pageant House, aims to reach out to those in need.

Warwick town councillor Martyn Ashford (Lab, Warwick North) fears vulnerable people could be being turned away.

He said: "It should be open to people of all colours and creeds.

"If somebody is in need, they should be able to use the service. The number should be made more available and the sessions open to everybody. If you are going to run a service, it should be for the majority not the minority."

The organisation's mission statement said staff aim to "deliver services with cultural sensitivity and without discrimination."

A Relate South Warwickshire spokesman confirmed the telephone service is not available to white residents who do not fit into the other categories.

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Outreach worker Alison Oliver said: "It is not our choice and we would like to offer the service to everyone but it is down to funding and the Big Lottery and government guidelines.

"It has been recognised that people from certain groups don't access counselling and it is to encourage people to use the service who wouldn't normally. People who don't fit the guidelines would be given another option and we would try and help them if possible.

"Central Relate offers telephone counselling they could use or we may suggest another agency who can help them."

The organisation received £200,000 lottery funding and has been running since January 2007. As well as the telephone service, which is a pilot scheme, it offers relationship, couples and family sessions. Call 403340.