3 August 2012 Last updated at 12:40 ET

Sunderland Bridges Project charity in administration

The Bridge Project was set up by a group of local women in 1985

A charitable organisation providing training and education opportunities for women has gone into administration with the loss of almost 100 jobs.

Since it was set up in 1985, the Sunderland-based Bridges project has trained thousands of women.

Administrators Begbies Traynor said 97 of the 110 staff at three centres in Sunderland and another in Durham have lost their jobs.

The charity offered childcare to trainees and a range of courses.

Gillian Sayburn, from Begbies Traynor, said: "Due to the changes and restrictions in central funding within education, the number of students has been steadily dropping over the course of the last year.

"In addition, Bridge has encountered problems itself with funding due to the general economic climate, leading to dwindling reserves.

"Whilst it will be a huge blow for the local community, it is hoped that by entering administration, negotiations can be held with various stakeholders in an attempt to rescue, if only in part, some of the business."