A Potters Bar county councillor has decided to help support Herts Area Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre.

County councillor Eddie Roach of Potters Bar East Division has allocated £250 of his locality budget to help fund ongoing counselling for rape victims.

The Herts Area Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre, which has been running since 1986, is free to victims in the Potters Bar area.

The money will support extra counselling for existing clients and will help reduce the waiting list for new clients.

The centre, which is run by a group of female volunteers, aims to support any woman over the age of 16, living in Hertfordshire who has experienced rape, sexual assault or any form of sexual abuse at any time in her life.

They offer free and confidential telephone advice, face-to-face counselling and a 24 hour helpline offering information on rape-related issues

Councillor Roach said: "I am pleased to assist this organisation which plays an important role when women experience a most traumatic time in their lives."

A total of £10,000 is available to each of the 77 members of Hertfordshire County Council to spend on worthwhile community projects in their area.

Locality budgets were launched in July 2009, with funding to be used for worthy social, economic or environmental causes in Hertfordshire.