Battered wives and their children will be left to fend for themselves if a cash-strapped local charity is forced to close, claim volunteers.

With up to 2,000 domestic violence referrals across the district last year, Lancaster and Morecambe Women's Aid says its services are needed more than ever.

But despite the prospect of new Government funding in March, the group fears its money could run out within weeks.

"It's a desperate situation.

If we can't meet our running costs then we'll have no choice but to call it a day," said one of the volunteers, Chris Simpson.

"If we're not here to help then local women who are suffering from domestic violence will have no one to turn to.

The police and authorities can only do so much.

"These are women who are very vulnerable who often feel very isolated.

Our part-time staff and volunteers deal with up to 10 new cases every week.

It's a vital service which does so much but domestic violence doesn't seem to be very fashionable as a charitable cause at the moment."

The Women's Aid group (two part-time staff and 12 volunteers) gets by on £40,000 a year, with Lancaster City Council providing an invaluable £10,000 grant.

The National Lottery has told the charity that it is not on its list of funding priorities and Comic Relief has said it will not be providing any new money this year.

The group helps women find refuge from violent partners, seek injunctions, find new accommodation and it looks after children while the mothers visit solicitors or attend court.

Importantly, a helpline offers a first line of defence and a specialist counselling service.

" When women pluck up the courage to call us they have often got no self worth and fear for the safety of their children," added Chris Simpson.

"Without our service I worry that many will stay with their abusive or violent partners.

I also think we offer exceptional value for money for what we do with two incredibly experienced staff and 12 hard-working volunteers.

We've enough money for about another six weeks and desperately need more funding to make it through to March when we could be in line for Government money.

Any donations or funding ideas would be very welcome."

l To offer support you can call Lancaster Women's Aid on 01524 389637.