A charity which has provided vital support to families with young children facing difficulties for 24 years is to close after its funding was cut.

Home Start Epping Forest has announced its services will cease at the end of August after Essex County Council Social Services and the West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group decided to stop providing money.

The charity, based in the Oakwood Hill Industrial Estate, Loughton, has operated in the district for 24 years and supported more than 1,000 families.

It recruits and trains local parents to work voluntarily with families with at least one child under five.

The volunteers visit the family in their home for between three and four hours a week and provide practical and emotional help and support.

The Guardian has approach Essex County Council and the commissioning group for an explantion for the funding cut and what alternative support will be made available to families.