THE Scottish Government is to give Glasgow's Rape Crisis servce an extra £35,000 after the charity saw its funds axed.

The charity lost a BBC Children in Need grant it has held for several years which funded staff specially trained to counsel teenage girls and young women.

Centre managers say they were told the application was turned down this year because the service was not providing adequate support for male survivors. Children in Need has denied this was a factor in its decision.

Hundreds of people signed a petition calling for the cash to be re-instated.

Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie said the Government will give the Glasgow centre £35,000 to plug the funding gap.

Ms McKelvie said she hopes the emergency cash will "allow Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis to reopen its waiting list and continue to deliver the same level of service".

She added: "We will continue to engage with Rape Crisis Scotland to assess this situation and to take a long-term approach so that local rape crisis centres can continue to provide vital services not just in Glasgow, but across the country."

It comes as a second branch of the charity has been forced to close its waiting list for counselling and support.

Managers at the Forth Valley Rape Crisis Centre (FVRCC) said they deeply regret the move, but they have no choice as they are "still trying to reach a funding agreement with Falkirk Council".

Both staff and volunteers there are having to deal with an "overwhelming and increasing demand" for help, with the charity saying this is leaving them "exposed to high levels of stress and pressure".

The management team and board of directors at FVRCC announced the decision as the Scottish Government said it would step in and provide extra funding to allow the Glasgow Rape Crisis Centre to reopen its waiting list for individual counselling.