VICTIMS of domestic abuse in Lancashire have been given a £750,000 helping hand to provide emergency accommodation for women and children fleeing violence.

County council bosses, working with the 12 district authorities, united to secure the second largest handout nationally from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) towards tackling the aftermath of relationship breakdowns.

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With the extra spending powers, nearly 300 more beds can be offered within refuges or safe houses countywide and there plans to offer more intensive support for the worst affected cases.

County councillor Tony Martin, cabinet member for adult and community services, said: “We’re extremely proud to have led on this countywide bid for services to support some of the most vulnerable members in our society.

“Joint working in Lancashire is very strong, as this unified approach shows, and clearly the DCLG were impressed by the level of collaboration and shared information which went into our bid.

“This represents a significant increase in the county’s funding for domestic violence.”

Specialist children’s workers, focusing on helping young people who have lived in a domestic abuse situation, will also be drafted in.

County officials say domestic abuse can take many forms, ranging from sexual and physical intimidation to emotional, verbal and even financial oppression, between either intimate partners or family members.

Those who believe they are currently suffering from such abuse are urged to call a free national 24-hour helpline on 0808 2000 247 or alternatively, go online to wo mensaid.org.uk.