A Gloucestershire-based charity that provides a counselling service for people across the three counties who have suffered abuse during childhood may be forced to close in April.

Survivors of Child Abuse (SOCA) recently learnt that its bid for lottery cash had been turned down by the Community Fund and the charity, which has offices in Gloucester, claims its future is now bleak.

Director and founder Gail Meecham said the grant normally made up over 50 per cent of SOCA's total income.

SOCA has been running for 13 years and offers therapeutic counselling to anyone aged 13 and over who has suffered sexual, physical and/or emotional abuse in childhood.