A Norwich charity is to receive £606,315 from the Big Lottery Fund to extend its work with women and girls living with domestic abuse in rural west Norfolk.

Mandy Proctor, chief executive of Leeway, a charity helping those affected by domestic violence and abuse, said: 'This funding enables us to set up a new west Norfolk-based project to support women and young girls who are at risk of or living with domestic abuse in isolated rural communities.'

The funding means Leeway can employ specialist workers for the next five years.

The frontline staff will be working from two new refuges in Breckland and the west Norfolk coastal area, which Leeway took over the management of last month, increasing the number of Leeway's refuges to five.

The additional three case workers will go out into rural villages and towns to offer practical and emotional advice and support and signpost those at risk to housing options, finance and welfare benefits, civil law and additional support services.

Between October 2014 and September 2015 Norfolk police took 19,985 phone calls in relation to domestic abuse – which equates to some 50 calls a day.

Norfolk Crime and Police Commissioner Lorne Green said: 'I am delighted about this excellent news.

'Domestic abuse is unacceptable. I pay tribute to Leeway and other such organisations which provide invaluable support to those recovering from abuse.'

Geeta Gopalan, Big Lottery Fund England committee vice-chairman, said: 'Strong evidence from women and girls' organisations told us of the increased demand for support, so we've been working closely with them over the past year to identify ways that women of all ages can get the right help, information and a listening ear to take control of their lives.'

Has your group or organisation applied for Big Lottery cash? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk