A CHARITY based in Darlington is cutting back its services because of funding difficulties.

The Tees Valley and Durham Branch of Cruse Bereavement Care has also had to stop paying travelling expenses to volunteers because of a lack of money.

From June 1, the charity, which is based in Maude Street, will stop counselling people in Stockton because it has not had financial support.

It is now focusing its efforts in other parts of the region.

In April, the charity warned it may have to withdraw GP referral services because of a funding crisis.

It wrote to all GPs in the region, asking for £500 donations - it received one reply, which was negative.

Cruse has since made a part-time referrals secretary redundant.

Chairwoman Joyce Spanswick said the charity had received some funding from local authorities in Darlington and Middlesbrough and other charities in Durham, but nothing in Stockton or Hartlepool.

She said: "We can't afford to keep it going.

"If we get anybody coming to us from Stockton, we'll unfortunately be telling them they have to go back to their GP.

"It's not something we want to have to do.

"We can get grants for training but not core funding.

"There's no point training someone if there's not money there afterwards."

The charity counselled more than 100 people in Stockton during the past few months.

Ms Spanswick believes other charities have a higher profile and so get more money.

She said: "As a result, our charity is suffering.

"Everybody is bereaved at some point.

"We can give people advice and, if necessary, we can accompany them to the coroner's inquest.

"We do quite a lot, but don't always get the recognition."

A spokeswoman for North Tees Primary Care Trust said funding applications were prioritised and, although the trust does work with the voluntary sector, it was not able to give the charity funding.

Anyone who is able to help the charity can write to Cruse Bereavement Care at 2 Maude Street, Darlington, or call 01325-286777.