A lifeline to victims of domestic violence has been saved.

Behind Closed Doors, which has been helping women in Otley, Ilkley and Aireborough for a decade, was facing closure because of a funding crisis.

Now its future is secure for another year after grants and donations from a number of organisations and local businesses.

The organisation, which was formed in 1998, saw referral rates rocket in 2007 - but despite the need for its services the group was drawing a blank with funding bids.

With money running out last September, the group's outreach programme was under threat and the organisation was facing closure. Now it has been revealed the service is secure until early next year after the success of a number of funding bids and donations from local businesses.

The group will also be one of the organisations to benefit from this year's Otley Carnival.

Spokesman Louise Tyne said: "We are not out of the woods, but we have got some funding and we are pretty much secure until February or March next year."

The group needs between £120,000 and £130,000 a year just to keep its services running at last year's level and organisers say demand is growing. With no statutory funding they rely on charitable and trust grants.

Louise said: "Our referrals have increased massively - partly because of publicity and partly because we have increased out geographical area."

The group has received messages of support from victims of domestic violence, professionals working in the field and Otley MP Greg Mulholland, who described their work as "essential".

Louise said the group was extremely grateful for the support it had received and to everyone who had rallied round to help secure its future.

"I think we were really chuffed at the support we have had. It means a lot and makes it worthwhile," she said "It is hard to plan and move forward when you are constantly having to worry about whether you are going to have the funding to carry out a piece of work."

The organisation is now hoping to set up a Friends of Behind Closed Doors fund-raising group. Anyone interested is invited to a meeting which will be held at the United Reformed Church in Bridge Street, Otley from 10am to noon on Saturday, April 5. Or they can call Maggie Shires on 07706 804080.

Behind Closed Doors is also looking for new members to join its management committee, and is asking anyone interested to phone Ruth Davieson on 07813 034959.