THE town’s prostitution strategy has today received a huge boost after it was offered �80,000 funding to keep going for another year.

The boost from the Suffolk Drug And Alcohol Team (DAAT) comes as the county council is set to approve major cuts to the two budgets that helped fund the strategy.

Since it was set up in the wake of Steve Wright’s reign of terror on the streets of the town in 2006, in which he killed five sex workers, the strategy has attracted nationwide attention for its success.

There are now thought to be no street prostitutes in Ipswich although there are 35 women who could be at risk if support was withdrawn.

The strategy has helped 85 women since it was set up in March 2007.

Originally, the strategy was seen as a five-year programme continuing until 2012.

The DAAT funding will allow this timetable to be maintained and, over the next year the team will look to develop a new way to continue its work after April 2012.

The DAAT is funded by a number of partners, including the county council, the borough, the police, and NHS Suffolk.

The Make A Change Team, which is made up of staff from Suffolk County Council and Suffolk police, carry out the work set out in the strategy.

Dr Amanda Jones, chairman of Suffolk DAAT said: “The work of the Make A Change Team is recognised by the partnership as being extremely important.

“Eighty per cent of those engaged in on and off street prostitution are dependent on drugs and the role of the team in supporting them to become drug free and to help them exit a harmful and chaotic lifestyle is crucial.”

Colin Spence, county councillor with responsibility for public protection, said: “Suffolk County Council remains committed to the prostitution strategy, and to maintaining front line support for those individuals who are trying to exit on and off street prostitution and escape sexual exploitation.

“However, due to pressure on finances we have been working to identify alternative sources of funding for the future.

“The DAAT contribution will support the strategy for the coming year and provides us with additional time to explore alternative sources of funding for the future.”