A EURO MP has added her influence to calls for funding for Derby Women's Centre to remain.

Glenis Willmott, an East Midlands MEP and Labour's leader in Europe, said she was concerned about Derby City Council's decision to cut the funding of the Derby Women's Centre, which may force it to close.

Mrs Willmott said: "As a women's-only, non-specialist organisation, it has service users who come from all over the city and county and they will face multiple barriers leading to further isolation if the centre were to close.

"The closure of the service will impact on the family as a whole at a time of increasing economic hardship."

Derby Women's Centre was founded in 1978 and provides support to vulnerable women in the city and across the county through counselling, legal advice, support groups, skills training and social activities.

In September last year, the council announced it would be reducing the overall amount it provided to voluntary and charity groups by around a million pounds.

As a result, the women's centre was told its funding would be cut.

A consultation into those reductions ended last month and a final decision is due to be made in February by cabinet members.

Mrs Willmott said: "Evidence suggests that women have been disproportionately affected by the cutbacks and the numbers seeking help, support and have advice for counselling, debt and benefits is gradually increasing."

Mrs Willmott has written to Yasmin Nazir, the chief executive of Derby Women's Centre, to show her support for the "excellent work" carried out by the staff.