DOMESTIC violence counsellors have vowed to carry on their work despite losing out on a £750,000 grant.

A consortium between Darlington Domestic Violence Forum and County Durham's womens refuges had hoped to secure the money from the Northern Rock Foundation.

But their application was rejected when the awarding body decided not to class County Durham as a rural area. A slice of the foundation's £4m had been set aside for a rural project, but it was decided that County Durham was an urban area.

The grant was instead given to a project in Gateshead.

Rachel Green, Durham Constabulary's strategic domestic co-ordinator, said: "I think it's unfortunate that only one area is going to benefit from the money.

"There could have been a bit shared between all the areas in the North-East and we could all have helped and learnt from each other."

It was hoped that the cash would pay for a new service aimed at offenders and workers to help victims.

Despite the setback, Mrs Green insisted that initiatives to combat domestic violence were continuing, including anti-homophobic and offenders programmes.