Grantham Women's Centre has been given more than £15,700 by South Kesteven Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership.

Previously, women living in Ancaster, Bourne, The Deepings and Stamford who needed the centre's support had to travel there, or get help on the phone.

But now workers will be able to offer them face-to-face support.

Advice calls

Claire Morrison, of Lincoln Women's Aid, said that last year the Grantham Centre took more than 400 advice calls from women and a further 300 from agencies.

She added: "Between November 2003 and October 2004 there were 350 domestic violence incidents reported to the police.

"For many women, domestic violence is not a one-off incident - they will usually have been assaulted a number of times before reporting to the police."

South Kesteven District Council community safety manager Alan McWilliams said: "We wanted to do everything we could to help extend this service as part of our work to tackle anti-social and violent behaviour."