THE city's first helpline for men suffering domestic abuse has gone live.

The service is part of a project set-up earlier in the year by Bradford Cyrenians which was given £234,000 of lottery cash to help men in abusive relationships.

It has also been boosted with more than £135,000 over three years from The Henry Smith Charity to pay for floating support workers.

Men Standing Up (MSU) works with organisations including the police, the NHS, mental health services, domestic abuse group Respect and Hope Housing.

Bradford Cyrenians' director Rubina Bokhari said working with such a wide range of groups would help ensure no-one was missed.

"We're hoping to get the message across to as wide a group of men as possible to say this service exists and it's here for you," she added.

It started taking referrals at in September and its helpline has just started taking calls.

"The helpline was key because we understand men's reluctance to utilise services, particularly around domestic abuse," said Miss Bokhari.

"We don't need names, we just want them to call and we will give them help and support. Then there's housing support with 12 units. If men are homeless, we can work with them to get other accommodation.

"I'm really pleased we've got a team of people who are very keen and enthusiastic and determined to offer this service."

In four months, 25 people have been referred, given support and in some cases emergency accommodation.

MSU service manager Humayun Islam said: "People are really, really grateful. We've had a person who we've moved away from the domestic abuse situation and moved them into accommodation outside of Bradford and he's wanting to use us to continue that level of support."

Mr Islam said men help had come from across the community.

"It shows that domestic abuse can happen to anybody really," he added.

The service works with Riverside social housing to provide 12 emergency beds for men.

Staff expect to be tested over the holiday period when domestic abuse typically increases.

"It will be interesting to see how many men come forward during the Christmas and new year period. It's a good way of evaluating how effective the service is around this time and we'll make sure that for the next bank holiday we change rotas to fit round that demand," Miss Bokhari said.

The phone line is open during the day, Monday to Fridays, but as the service expands it is hoped the team of three can be added to and support offered during evenings and weekends.

The service will also link up with drop-in sessions run by organisations including Equity Partnership, which works with Bradford's lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities.

Men Standing Up will officially be unveiled at the end of March. Men can contact the helpline on 0300 3030167.