Help for domestic abuse sufferers in West Bridgford

A new drop-in centre is to be opened in part of Nottinghamshire to offer support to women experiencing domestic abuse or who are worried about it.

The new centre will open in West Bridgford early in the new year.

Rushcliffe Borough Council already runs two drop-in centres in Bingham and Keyworth.

Wendy Morris, of Rushcliffe's Community Safety Team, said the festive period was a particularly difficult time for people experiencing domestic violence.

"Perhaps women who are affected by domestic violence don't want to split the family up at Christmas time and they feel maybe it would be better to think about leaving afterwards," she said.

The local authority is also running a course in 2011 called the Freedom Programme, aiming to help women experiencing domestic abuse who have work commitments.