WIRRAL Council has been urged to bid for help from a new Government fund to support the victims of domestic violence.

Wirral Conservative Cllr Lesley Rennie - a former police officer in Wallasey - has written to the authority's chief executive Eric Robinson to make sure that Wirral doesn't miss out on the chance to bid for help.

Cllr Rennie said: "As a police officer and, more recently, as a local councillor, I have seen the effects that domestic violence has on the victims and their families.

"This new fund has the potential to help people in Wirral affected by domestic violence. I'm urging the council to work with local domestic violence organisations to come up with a successful bid for cash."

The Government has set aside a £3.2 million fund to address any gaps in the provision of specialist accommodation-based support, and provide support for victims seeking to access these services.

Local councils are being asked to bid for a share of the cash, working with service providers.

Communities Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford, who has been meeting with victims and those working in the sector, said: "Domestic violence and abuse is a devastating crime that shatters the lives of victims and families and this government is committed to ensuring that we have a strong safety net for anyone who finds themselves in a situation where they are forced to leave their home.

"We recognise that not all victims will have the same needs and the fund will also be looking to support further innovative approaches to enable victims to access the support they need."

The new fund builds on the £10 million funding for refuges announced in March.