WOMEN'S champion Molly Rennie today praised social housing groups for their support of females fleeing violence in the home.

The mayor of Dorchester, who is also chairman of the West Dorset Women's Refuge, spoke out after mum-of-three Samantha McCartney - who left a women's refuge for a new life in Dorchester - claimed her Alington Road home was not fit to bring children up in.

Mrs Rennie said Magna Housing Association and the West Dorset Housing Partnership were committed to housing vulnerable people as quickly as possible.

She said: "People staying at the refuge appreciate what is done for them. I just do not want people in west Dorset to think that people from the refuge are ungrateful and I do not want them to lose the fantastic goodwill we have.

"Although I appreciate Sam will still feel a victim because of her past experiences, I want to point out that Magna Housing Association and the West Dorset Housing Partnership - as well as other community organisations - bend over backwards and make every effort to house people, particularly victims of domestic abuse.

"People do not have to come to the refuge, they can phone up and get 24-hour advice on 01305 262444."

Mrs McCartney said: "My problems do not reflect on the women's refuge - my problems are with Magna."

A Magna spokesman said: "We are holding our hands up to this one. Problems have been compounded by other repairs becoming apparent.

"A timetable for completing outstanding repairs has been agreed and we are sorry for any inconvenience."