THE shock closure of Lancaster's women's refuge is to be reported to the Charities Commission by an employee.

And with three women and four children facing eviction from the refuge in the next 48 hours, co-ordinator Carol Singleton-Hughes has broken a gagging order to criticize the management committee's record.

Despite being told, along with other members of staff, that she is not allowed to talk to the press, Ms Singleton-Hughes exclusively revealed her concerns over the refuge closure to The Citizen.

Ms Singleton-Hughes, who is also considering legal action, told us: "Surely this can't have happened overnight? Charities have to plan their funding arrangements ahead, they shouldn't suddenly run out of money.

"I think the way this business has been conducted is appalling. Something has to be done about it. I want Lancaster and District Women's Aid to continue, but not with the present management committee.

"If Lancaster does get a new women's refuge, and I believe it will, we need to do what we can to help vulnerable women."

Ms Singleton-Hughes has also questioned what the management committee plans to do with funding from the Tudor Trust and Children in Need which has been provided to fund a children's worker until October.

The co-ordinator who joined the charity last October, was told six weeks ago that she and the other refuge staff were to be made redundant.

Ms Singleton-Hughes added: "I don't understand all the secrecy around this issue. To keep everything above board they should just come out and explain what is going on?

"We also want to know why the emergency general meeting of Lancaster and District Women's Aid wasn't scheduled until three days after the refuge was due to close? And we want to know why Lancaster's women's refuge is in this situation while other refuges that have the same problems are not being closed down?

"The fact that the refuge is closing has caused demonstrable stress to the women who live there.

"These are vulnerable women who have come to a refuge, which is meant to be a place of safety, and they have now found out that they are to become homeless."

The Citizen can also reveal that, as of Wednesday, the three women and four children still living in the refuge do not yet know where they will be housed when they are evicted in 48 hours' time.

The refuge is due to be returned to the New Leaf housing association on March 31, and Women's Aid has been ordered to return it in the same state as they received it five years ago.

The management committee have still not responded to the paper's request for an interview.

An emergency general meeting of Women's Aid is to be held next Tuesday (April 3).

If the management committee or any of its members they want to respond they can contact the Citizen newsdesk on 01524 843929, fax on 01524 65079, email gmorgan@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk or visit our office at Victoria Court, Penny Street, Lancaster.