An MP has vowed to fight plans to cut funding for a unit which helps victims of homophobic and racist crime.

Des Turner, MP for Kemp Town, Brighton, is to challenge the Government's decision to stop funding the city's Anti Victimisation Unit (AVU).

The unit was set up last year to tackle homophobic attacks, race hate crimes, and domestic violence.

It has 11 dedicated police officers and employs seven civilian workers.

This week, staff found out the Home Office planned to pull the plug on funding.

Mr Turner said: "It would be a great shame if this happened.

"The unit does a lot of good work and is very useful to the city.

"I will be contacting the Home Office on this matter."

The Home Office last year pledged £1.2 million for the project, which is based at the police station in John Street.

It was set up last year to tackle the lack of confidence felt by marginal communities in the police's ability to respond to hat crimes.

The money runs out in eight weeks and staff had hoped funding would be extended until March 2003.

The civilian workers, including three case workers, will lose their jobs if the money cannot be found.

A woman who used the unit said: "I am livid about the decision. I cannot praise staff at the project enough.

"When I was told what was going to happen, I was nearly crying. They are my lifeline.

"The people at the AVU are the only ones who have really helped me and who have understood me.

"Without them, who can I turn to? I cannot talk to a policeman I don't know and who doesn't relate to me."

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said an estimated £100,000 was needed to keep the civilian staff for an extra six months.

Chief Superintendent Doug Rattray said: "We have made a commitment to tackling hate crime.

"The 11 officers will continue to be dedicated to fighting homophobic, racist and domestic violence.

"We are determined to find other sources of funding to support the unit."

Labour activists in east Brighton plan to write to the Home Secretary and will work with community groups to lobby ministers to restore the funding.

Group member Craig Turton said: "Blunkett is wrong on this.

"I am appalled the Home Office has withdrawn funding to the AVU, which has successfully built up confidence and trust with the victims of hate crime.

"Victims of homophobic and racist attacks are particularly vulnerable and this decision is not acceptable."

Councillor Gill Mitchell said: "I have been impressed by the support provided. The Home Office's decision will affect many people in east Brighton."