COMEDIAN Jo Brand is backing a campaign to secure funding for a women's centre in Derby.

Derby City Council said last year it planned to stop giving money to Derby Women's Centre from April this year.

The authority is cutting 30% of its grants to charities and voluntary groups to save £1 million. It said the services provided by the centre, which supports vulnerable women through counselling and legal advice, were duplicated by other organisations.

It is something the centre disputes and said that any cut to its funding could put its work in jeopardy.

Last year, it applied to the council for a £43,926 grant but was turned down.

The centre's patrons – Jo Brand and local entrepreneurs Parween Warsi and Kavita Oberoi – have now spoken out to support the Save the Derby Women's Centre campaign.

Ms Brand, known for her stand-up act and TV panel show appearances, said: "What I most admire and feel most proud about the Derby Women's Centre is that women really do use it.

"In any year, the centre helps around 3,000 women through any number of personal difficulties, and that includes domestic violence, sexual abuse – things we don't always want to talk about."

She added: "Any suggestion of a reduced service or closure amounts to women at real risk of having nowhere else to go or denied of the choice of where to go.

"Please let the skilled and dedicated workers at Derby Women's Centre carry on with their essential work with women who want to regain their confidence, happiness and ability to care for their children."

Kavita Oberoi, founder of Oberoi consulting and one of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs, said: "The women's centre does an excellent job helping women overcome personal difficulties, socio-economic inequalities and improve employment skills and confidence."

A petition against the funding cut has so far attracted 300 signatures.

Perween Warsi, who is also a patron, said she was "deeply saddened" to hear about the proposed cuts.

"I became a patron of the centre in March 2011 after learning more about its work at an International Women's Day event in Derby," she said. "I was impressed by the centre's commitment to helping all women, regardless of their situation and background."

A consultation with the public over the proposed cuts ended last month and the council will announce the final decision of cabinet members in February.