A CHARITY which provides refuge for victims of domestic violence looks likely to be awarded a three-year contract by a council.

Family Help is to get a £270,000 contract from Darlington Borough Council to allow it to continue to run a refuge for victims of domestic abuse.

Councillors will be asked to waive usual tendering rules to allow the £93,662-a-year contract to be awarded to Family Help for the next three years.

A report, circulated to councillors, said the refuge offered good value for money and was of a high standard.

It said the eight-unit refuge was used by 69 women and 84 children last year, with units occupied 2,909 nights out of 2,920.

The report, which will go before councillors next week, said: "The weekly unit cost of the refuge is the second lowest in the region at £223 per week and the hourly unit cost is also in the lower quartile.

"In reviewing the service delivered by Family Help there was consistently good feedback on the service delivered, and the Supporting People Team recognises the organisation as one which continually strives to deliver high-quality service."

The report will be discussed by councillors at their meeting in the town hall on Thursday, at 6pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.