VULNERABLE women and girls across Berkshire have received a cash boost to help support community based projects.

Local charities and community groups have received grants of up to £10,000 from the Tampon Tax Community Fund to work with women of all ages focussing on preventative services for those at risk of crisis.

Vicki Papworth, UK community fund director of programmes and development said: "Community Foundations work with grassroots groups who are running vital services on a shoestring and supporting some of the most marginalised people in our society.

"This funding will enable them to run some amazing projects that make a difference on the ground to women and girls who need it most."

The projects receiving the funds will help women and girls get back into work, build valuable skills and confidence to improve health and well-being.

Berkshire Women's Aid is one of te examples who are being funded and will run various sessions to support women who have been affected by abuse.

Smart Works in Reading will also benefit from the funding to get women back into work and The Dash Charity will use the grant to fund a Domestic Abuse Helpline.

The funding is a result of UK Community Foundations being asked by the government to distribute the largest share of the funding raised through the levy on sanitary products in 2017 and 2018 to small projects.