Preseli Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Paul Davies has welcomed a £60,000 budget set aside by the county council to tackle domestic abuse.

Mr Davies revealed a shocking six-fold increase in the number of calls to the local Women's Aid charity earlier this year.

The funding news came in the same week that a Saundersfoot man, Arthur Pitt-Pladdy, was sentenced to serve 18 years in prison for murdering his girlfriend by stabbing her 177 times.

"This was obviously an extreme case but my visit to Pembrokeshire Women's Aid taught me that women suffering violence at the hands of their partners is an all too common occurrence in the County," said Mr Davies.

Pembrokeshire is thought to be the only county in Wales that does not have either an outreach or "floating" support service that would make accessing help easier for women.

"I was told that there has been an increase in the number of women who don't necessarily need refuge but who do need information and support, hopefully this funding will go some way to plugging the gap," added Mr Davies.

*Any woman experiencing domestic abuse can contact Pembrokeshire Women's Aid helpline on 01437 769564, or the Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 80 10 800 - both 24 hours.