The Yorkshire Evening Post last month revealed concerns that the Behind Closed Doors group could fold by the end of the year because of a shortage of cash.

But now Leeds City Council's Safer Leeds initiative has drawn up a proposal to fund the charity's work until March 2011.

A final decision on the plan – understood to be worth in the region of £150,000 – is due at a meeting on October 20.

Coun Les Carter, the council's executive member for neighbourhoods and housing, said: "I'm delighted we have identified a source of funding to help Behind Closed Doors.

"It was right that we consider whether there was anything we could do to help them."

Louise Tyne, service manager at Behind Closed Doors, said she was "delighted" by the possible lifeline.

She said: "Until we receive confirmation that Leeds City Council will actually adopt this proposal and fund all of our services, the campaign to save Behind Closed Doors goes on."

Based in north west Leeds, the charity was launched in 1997 and provides counselling and psychological support for domestic violence victims.

But, in the current economic climate, staff have been struggling to find the backing they need. An initial request for help from the city council was turned down before a change of heart late last month saw it promising to "explore all options" to aid the group