28 September 2011 Last updated at 07:47 ET

Noah's Ark Trust lays off staff and cuts services

A charity helping children who have lost a parent has blamed the recession for staff and service cuts.

Noah's Ark Trust, based in Worcester, has laid off six staff and will no longer accept referrals from north Worcestershire.

The charity said its income has fallen by more than £18,000 a month this year.

Chief executive Gabby Beddows said: "We've had to make the decision that we've got to do something to survive, and we've cut hard."

Noah's Ark Trust said it currently had a caseload of 900 children across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Four bereavement co-ordinators and two fund-raisers are being made redundant.

The charity said that in future it could offer help only to children who had lost a parent or sibling.

Previously it had worked with those who had lost a grandparent, other relative or friend if the loss was affecting the child's wellbeing.

Mrs Beddows said: "I'd like to reassure those children and those families that we're already supporting that we will see that work through, but we will no longer take any referrals for Wyre Forest, Redditch or Bromsgrove."