A RANGE of organisations have teamed up to provide a seamless service for Halton's victims of domestic violence.

A multi-agency risk assessment conference (MARAC) will include representatives from health, social services, education, police, probation, housing, victim support and Halton's domestic abuse support service.

It will be holding regular meetings to discuss how best to safeguard vulnerable women.

Already, victims have access to a number of services that will enable them to leave abusive relationships. There is a 24-hour helpline for advice and support and a specialist domestic violence court that will enable them to be accompanied by a support worker throughout the trial.

Sally Clarke, the council's domestic abuse co-ordinator, said: 'Although it sounds drastic, the overall aim of MARAC is to prevent domestic abuse reaching the extremes of murder.'