A community centre has received a £400,000 grant to help women who have been in prison to steer clear of crime and build new lives.

The Turning Point Women's Centre, in Braunstone, Leicester, has received the money from the Ministry of Justice to work with females across the county.

The two-year project will help women with problems such as alcohol or drug addiction, homelessness, ill health, debt and childcare difficulties.

Those who will take part will be women who have served sentences for non-violent offences but are thought to be at risk of re-offending.

The campaign is supported by criminal justice system groups, including Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Trust.

Heather Munro, chief executive of the trust, said: "National data shows the majority of women offenders are young, imprisoned for non-violent offences and serve very short sentences.

"They have a broad range of complex needs, such as health disorders and substance misuse. Many are low-skilled and have little experience of work.

"We hope that by developing a one-stop shop approach, we can offer a wide range of support and services that will target the issues leading women into repeat offending."

Turning Point chief executive Sara Davies said: "This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of women whose lifestyles are leading them into criminal activities."

The centre, in Cantrell Road, will be recruiting staff before launching the scheme in the spring.

Nationally, 4,347 women were in prison in September 2008.

The majority were young, in custody for non-violent offences and serving less than 12 months.

On average, according to the service, it costs 12 times more to send a woman to prison than to put her on a community supervision order.