It means Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service will only be able to help out-of-hours callers in Swindon.

Wiltshire Council announced in May last year that it was backing the helpline to enable it to be expanded across the county. But now the council has abandoned the scheme because of low call volumes.

The charity’s chief executive Emma Rawlings said: “It’s something we have done for nearly a year and worked hard on getting the word out about it. Now to all of a sudden have it gone - how do we manage the message now that we have to say that it’s gone? Where can we point these women to?

“There is a national helpline that often goes to voicemail, and Wiltshire’s helpline is available 9 to 5 on weekdays but the SDASS has received calls at all times of the day and night throughout the week.”

She told the BBC: “It’s been an absolute rollercoaster from trying to find funding and support all the service users in crisis situations, looking at the national picture to see when the peaks will be, and all our services have run through lockdowns non-stop which is fantastic.

“I know we have made a difference to so many women’s lives.

Lib Dem candidate for Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner Brian Mathew condemned the decision “My heart goes out to those victims who have had this service ripped from them. Domestic violence has skyrocketed during Covid-19 and this decision is irresponsible.

“Victims are left powerless and this year more than any we need to stand together to protect victims and to give them the services that they need. We should be doing more to tackle and confront domestic abuse, supporting charities like Swindon Women’s Aid who work so hard to protect and prevent victims of domestic abuse.”

“Wiltshire Council should be ashamed of this decision.”

The amount of money cut from the service has not been revealed.

Council director of families and children’s services Martin Davies said: “We kept it under review throughout the year. We had some very low call volumes going into that Swindon service.”

But there was an increase in self-referrals to Splitz, a charity that provides people support victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence in Wiltshire. He added: “We need to have targeted resources to support the highest number of families. We want to work with a number of providers to do this.”

The council told the Adver self- referrals to Splitz have increased by 50 per cent and it is continuing to invest in key services to ensure victims receive the right support.

Coun Simon Jacobs, cabinet member for public health said: “People who are victims of domestic abuse should not suffer in silence. We have trained professionals ready to listen and provide advice and support. Domestic abuse can take many forms and can impact anyone so it may be a friend or family member living with domestic abuse but please come forward and speak out and seek support.

“Our services are subject to regular review as we want to ensure they are targeted appropriately and where needed most. Work is currently underway to understand the local needs and demands of those populations that may be impacted by domestic abuse and we are using all this information to help inform and build the future service.”