GRAYS is to play host to a new court dealing with cases of domestic violence.

Essex Criminal Justice Board has successfully bid for part of the £2 million funding for Independent Domestic Violence Advisors to help set up the first Specialist Domestic Violence Court in the county.

It will be based at Grays Magistrates' Court serving Brentwood, Basildon and Thurrock and will begin operating in April next year.

Local Women's Aid groups have greeted news of the new court with enthusiasm.

Erika Jenkins, of Thurrock Women's Aid said: "We are delighted that we have been successful.

"We look forward to the opportunity of working with partners to provide a co-ordinated community response, which will increase the safety of women and children and hold perpetrators accountable for the violence."

Her sentiments were echoed by Lyn Headley of Basildon Women's Aid, who added: "A specialist court will increase the support available for women suffering domestic violence and ensure more offenders are successfully brought to justice."

The Grays court is one of 28 new courts across the country and the expansion of the specialist domestic violence courts was announced on the same day as a reception at 10 Downing Street where Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "Domestic violence is a frankly cowardly crime that no-one should suffer."