A NEW support service for victims of domestic violence has been set up by a group of women from Trowbridge.

The women, who have all been victims of domestic violence, set up the advisory group last Friday, May 10, after taking part in a workshop organised by the Trowbridge based Splitz group.

Group spokesman, Emma Capstaff-Taylor, said: "We wanted to do something else after we took part in the domestic violence workshop sessions at Splitz.

"We have had a lot of support from people there and we really hope we are going to be able to help a lot of women. We have noticed there was a demand for this service as we worked our way through the training sessions."

After the women went through their initial domestic violence training sessions they decided they wanted to learn more, and studied the skills of volunteering and befriending in further sessions.

The 15 women aged between 20 and 40 will now offer a range of advisory services to women who have suffered any form of domestic violence.

Miss Capstaff-Taylor said: "It is quite a nice feeling knowing that we are doing something so positive. It will be interesting to see what response we get.

"We aim to give women as much support as they need.

"We can offer advice on housing and finance as well as advising them on forms to fill out. It can be very overwhelming when you first start this process but at the end of the day everybody's got their own decisions to make."

Splitz development worker, Fran Lewis, said: "I'm very proud of these women and what they have achieved. They have done it all themselves, including designing adverts to publicise the service."

The women are hoping to run the service between 10am and midday every Friday.

All enquires should be made through Splitz on (01225) 777724.