A PROJECT which will provide support for both male and female victims of domestic abuse in Pendle will be launched by Burnley's Merseybeat actors John McArdle and Kathy Jamieson next month.

A team of five, referred to as the Pendle Domestic Violence Initiative, will work with people experiencing domestic abuse, as well as with the perpetrators of the abuse.

They will be based in an office in Pendle, where a range of services will be made available, including a helpline, education and awareness training, one-to-one support and training for related agencies in Pendle.

The project, which is funded for three years by the National Lottery, will be launched on Tuesday, November 12, at Colne Municipal Hall.

The launch will be attended by 36 various agencies, including social services, the police and probation, as well as the Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Pauline McCormick and Paul Stephenson, the Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary.

A performance exploring the theme of domestic violence will be held at the national Geese Theatre from 1.30pm. Research has revealed that one in four women are subjected to domestic abuse at some time in their life and, on average, women fall prey to abuse around 35 times before they seek help.

Jo Purdey, strategic co-ordinator of the project, said: "The aim of the project is to help eradicate domestic violence in Pendle by offering victims the chance to seek help and the perpetrators the chance to change their ways.

"The impact this will have on the children of the family will be very positive. The project is quite unique because not many schemes will work with men who say they are being abused by a partner, or with the perpetrators.

"The launch is aimed at raising our profile in the community and getting other agencies to work together.

"People in many organisations or agencies may come into contact with people who are suffering violence, but never spot the signs.

"By increasing awareness of the issue more people who need help are likely to get it and the damage caused to families can be reduced."

It is being managed by Pendle Action for the Community and the launch is being supported by Pendle Partnership with funding from the Community Chest and CED (capacity building grants) programmes.

The Community Safety Partnership has also provided a grant.