Musical icons Andy Bell, 43, and Vince Clarke, 47, called the city's Hope centre "amazing" and urged fans to help save the service, which provides a lifeline to hundreds of victims of domestic violence.

The Hope Centre, in St John's shopping centre, is vital a haven of help, counselling, and housing advice. But it faces an uncertain future after Government funding ran out, and the Evening Post has launched an appeal to raise £25,000 and save the resource.

Singer Andy Bell said: "I have heard terrible stories about what it is like for people who suffer domestic violence. I know a lot of women are torn because they want to protect their husbands or partners and keep it hush-hush.

"It is a large step for them to get out of an abusive relationship so for them to have something on their doorstep like the Hope Centre is really amazing."

Clarke, father to two-year-old Oscar, added: "Many families know domestic violence is going on but don't confront it, so it is good for a victim to have a stranger to talk to about it."

The Evening Post and women's refuge are more than half way to meeting the £25,000 target.