A WOMEN'S refuge has received nearly £58,000 to help look after children forced to flee their homes because of domestic violence.

Redcar and Cleveland Women's Aid, Teesside, which took in 96 children between April 2002 and last March, has received the £57,855 grant from BBC Children in Need.

It is part of £1.4m given to good causes in the North-East and Cumbria in the past year.

The refuge, in the Redcar area, takes in women from all over the country who are forced to leave their homes and keep their location a secret to protect themselves and children from violent husbands and fathers.

The grant will allow a childcare co-ordinator to work for two years at the refuge, helping children come to terms with their new situation.

The co-ordinator, Kate Harland, said: "We are extremely grateful for the donation.

"It means we can support children, as well as women, with any emotional issues they have as well as getting them into school and arranging holiday activities for them."

For more information about the group, contact (01642) 490677.