THE leader of Worcestershire County Council has ruled out a last-ditch plea to intervene and save Worcester's Asha centre, it has emerged.

Councillor Simon Geraghty says at this "late stage" it would not be right to come to the aid of the women's protection facility, which is shutting at the end of this month.

The decision has dismayed the chairman of County Hall's Labour group, Councillor Richard Udall, who tried to get a rescue deal in place.

As the Worcester News first revealed three weeks ago grant funding has dried up in recent months leaving the volunteer-led service, based in Checketts Lane, on the brink.

But the county council will not be stumping up new cash to keep it going, saying it dishes out money for certain services on a competitive basis.

Councillor Udall said: "I am bitterly disappointed, many Worcestershire residents will be put at risk by this decision.

"If Worcestershire had been a Labour-controlled council, we would have acted to try and find a way to help.

"It's clear from his response that the leader is simply washing his hands with the service and has no intention of providing any help to find support."

He said the leadership "does not understand the implications" of the site closing down, adding: "The only other and much less charitable explanation is that they do know, but don't care."

Asha has typically cost the public purse between £300,000 and £350,000 to run each year, but sources of money have declined amid the austerity squeeze.

It deals with domestic abuse victims, as well as women struggling with problems like depression and money issues.

Its last significant grant came from West Mercia's former police and crime commissioner Bill Longmore.

Cllr Geraghty said the council was "fully aware" of Asha's work, but stated it was funded by "multiple sources" over the years.

He added: "As a commissioning authority, we commission services through an open and transparent process, and actively engage with all sectors through our market engagement activities.

"Through our ongoing work with colleagues in the voluntary sector, we are ensuring all voluntary and community Sector organisations are fully aware of our commissioning intentions.

"Asha, along with other organisations, would have had, and would continue to have opportunities to tender for appropriate work to their field of expertise."

Lynne Fyfe, Asha's director, has called the decision to shut "absolutely gutting".