2 February 2012 Last updated at 09:25 ET

Birchall Trust charity for sexual abuse victims opens in Lancaster

A counselling service for victims of sexual abuse has expanded from Cumbria into north Lancashire.

The Birchall Trust, based in Barrow and Kendal, now offers support to people in Lancaster after receiving funding of £200,000 from the Ministry of Justice.

The charity will use the money to offer counselling sessions, including play and art therapy, for children and young people.

Lancashire Police has worked closely with the charity in recent years.

Det Insp Jo Dent said: "Victims of rape or sexual abuse are given the full support of our officers after a crime has been reported to us.

"This level of support continues if an offender is caught and the case then goes through the court process.

"The Birchall Trust is able to add an additional level of support, through their counselling and therapy sessions, to those who are referred to them."

A spokesperson for the Birchall Trust said: "We are so pleased to be able to provide services in north Lancashire.

"Our specialist counselling service supports survivors of rape and sexual abuse, whether the abuse is recent or historic and whatever their age.

"Often it is difficult to put the abuse they have suffered into words; play and art can help with communication, especially for young children, so being able to refurbish and now use this room in Lancaster is great."