A charity that helps victims of rape and abuse is closing its operation after the council refused to fund it.

The Brighton and Hove branch of the charity Rape Crisis will leave its premises in the city on December 31 and has pulled the plug on its telephone helpline after the city council rejected its £13,000 grant application.

Callers to the service can leave a message and a counsellor will return a call but no counselling will be given on the organisation's helpline.

Callers receive a message directing them to the Croydon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre for immediate help.

The charity has been forced to relinquish the lease on its premises because it can no longer afford to pay the rent.

Lynn Gallagher, a former volunteer, said: "Some people want to continue by starting a new group but without a grant."

The new group will seek funding from other organisations.