GMTV star Lorraine Kelly will be the guest speaker at the launch of an enhanced service from Wycombe Rape Crisis.

The launch will take place tomorrow at the Reggie Goves Centre in High Wycombe to mark an improved service which will provide specialist support to women who have been raped, sexually assaulted or sexually abused.

Bexley Penhaligon, manager of Wycombe Rape Crisis, said: "This service is really needed for women in South Bucks.

"Statistics show that two in every five women are raped or sexually assaulted. This means 64,000 women in this area."

Wycombe Rape Crisis is a voluntary organisation independent of the police or social services and was founded in 1996.

The new services offered will include free confidential face-to-face counselling, a telephone helpline, a facilitated self-help group and practical help and information.

The plans for the service were made possible by a National Lottery Charity grant, which agreed to 100 per cent of the money applied for.

Women can contact the service whether the event happened recently or in the past.

Ailsa Harrison, chair of Wycombe Rape Crisis, said: "We shouldn't forget the long-term effects abuse can have on women's lives.

"Almost half of survivors have symptoms of depression, loss of confidence and self-esteem.

"That's a terrible cost to individual women, to their families and to society. We should support their survival."

The Wycombe Rape Crisis telephone number is (01494) 462222