A VITAL service promoting racial equality in York has been forced to slash its services by half after the Government withdrew £30,000 of funding.

Dozens of York residents from different ethnic backgrounds descended on the headquarters of York Racial Equality Network (YREN) to vent their anger during the visit of an opposition MP.

Lynne Featherstone, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Youth and Equality, dropped by at the support centre in Priory Street during her visit to York on Friday.

She voiced horror that the Government-backed Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) had turned down the York network's bid for funding this year and pledged to take up the issue with the commission's chairman, Trevor Phillips.

She said: "While it would be true to say that York is not the diversity capital of this country, there is a growing number of black and ethnic minority residents.

"Add in an influx of Eastern Europeans, and the issues of pressures on public services, social cohesion and the rest are just beginning to arise.

"Better to tackle these in proper and timely fashion than wait until real problems hit us. Ironically, places like York need the service even more than the metropolitan areas, because in the big cities they already have a well-developed support network in place."

YREN offers practical help, advocacy and emotional support for victims of racial harassment, victimisation, discrimination and isolation.

In the past, more than half of its work has been funded by the Commission for Racial Equality.

But in October 2007, the commission merged with two other bodies to form the EHRC, and this year the York network failed to win funding.

Director Rita Sanderson said: "Last year we were given £30,000, but this year our bid of £40,000 was unsuccessful.

"We are really disappointed, because we were assured that the amalgamation wouldn't make a difference to funding.

"Unless we get additional funding, our work this year is going to be extremely limited. The work we do is fundamental for community cohesion and we are determined to make it continue."

She said the network still had the backing of City of York Council and other partnership organisations, and was drawing up a fundraising plan.

Mrs Featherstone said: "YREN is the only organisation doing the work that is needed in this area.

"If the commission is not minded to reverse its decision, then I'd very much like to know how it expects the work to support individuals experiencing racial harassment, victimisation and discrimination to continue."

If any individuals or businesses would like to make a donation to help the work of YREN continue, phone 01904 642600.