A centre which has saved thousands of women from destitution and even death has become the latest victim of a financial crisis in the charity sector.

The Brighton Women's Centre has been helping victims of domestic violence, homeless women and those with mental health problems for 30 years but announced last night it could close by the end of the year.

The service, which helps more than 100 women a week, says it is £30,000 a year short of its commitments.

The centre joins a growing list of voluntary services which are finding it increasingly difficult to attract funding because of changes to priorities and policies of their financial backers.

Last week, The Argus reported that the St Patrick's Trust in Hove, which has helped 300,000 homeless people off the streets, is facing the axe.

Centre manager Karen Moore said: "We have contact with about 4,000 women a year and I would say we have saved at least half that number of women from desperate situations and helped them in times of great need.

"Over the last year since our funding ended we have contacted more than 250 charitable trusts but all of them have rejected us for various reasons.

"Some simply don't have the funding and others are channeling their funding elsewhere, such as the natural disasters that have happened this year.

"It is very depressing. The centre is vital to so many women across the city. This also means redundancies, which would be myself and the volunteer co-ordinator.

"To some of our regular users the centre has become a lifeline and the impact of closure would be devastating. Without the centre many of the women would be excluded from other local services because they do not meet the criteria."

The centre, based in the Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton, has more than 40 volunteers, many of whom are escaping dangerous and threatening situations.

Boo Kipps, 30, of Kemp Town, Brighton, suffers from a multiple personality disorder and has been visiting the centre for the last year.

She said: "I have met a few women here who have come in from domestic violence situations and somebody has taken them into a refuge before the end of the day so they don't have to go home. It is a safe place for women to go and it is important that it is women only, as many feel uncomfortable being around men.

"Everyone is really upset that it might close. For me it is a place where I can talk to people who understand my disorder. It is really daunting to think it won't be here."

Roz Charters, 58, from Michael's Place, Brighton, said: "I have been coming to the centre for about a year now as I have depression because of a long-term illness, Crohn's Disease.

"The centre has been a lifeline for me. I don't know where I would be without it. I would certainly feel worse if it was not here. I have been volunteering here as well and it has given me a focus.

"It would be a great loss to so many women including myself as there is no other centre like it. There are other drop-in centres but they are specifically for mental health problems. This centre helps women with all sorts of problems. People are asking where they will go and what they will do."

For further information contact Karen Moore on 01273 749567.