A Darlington charity hopes to build a new women's refuge in the town for victims of domestic violence.

The Home housing association, based in Middlesbrough, has applied to Darlington Borough Council to build the eight self-contained units plus communal facilities to replace Family Help's existing building.

Family Help, which has run a women's refuge in the town since 1976, will rent the new facilities from the housing association and run the refuge.

A spokeswoman for the charity said: "The success of the awareness campaign about domestic violence in Darlington has led to an increase in demand for places.

"This new building will increase our number of bed spaces from 23 to 36, plus cots."

The existing five-bedroomed refuge only has a shared kitchen and bathroom. Each of the new units will have their own facilities, including one adapted to cater for the disabled, as well as a communal lounge and separate dining room. If planning permission is granted, it could be open by September.

The spokeswoman explained: "We have to start on site by March to qualify for the government's community funding. The work should take about six months to complete."

She added that the new units all had to be furnished by Family Help and appealed for gifts of equipment. She said: "We are going to need things like white goods and furniture, but we are not going for second-hand. If we are going to have a new building, we think that the women and children deserve nice, new things."

Family Help has a helpline on 01325 364486 which is manned Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Out-of-hours emergency calls should be directed through the police, the Samaritans or social services. To make a donation, call the helpline number.