A charity to support deaf people in Preston has gone into administration.

Lancashire Deaf Service, in Cannon Street, offered advice, advocacy and information for people with hearing difficulties.

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But after falling into difficulty paying staff wages the charity – which also has branches in Blackburn and Burnley went into administration last week.

Around 70 staff across the three branches have lost their jobs.

A spokesman for the charity said: “Lancashire Deaf Service has ceased to operate from Cannon Street, Preston, Keirby Walk, Burnley and Heaton Street, Blackburn.

“The reason for this was a shortage of funds for staff wages. Inevitably, this resulted in the organisation going into administration on 3^rd June.

“Understandably, it has been a difficult time where over 70 staff were made redundant and more importantly the support services have been cut to Deaf people across the county.”

A spokeswoman for the Charity Commission confirmed they had opened an investigation into the charity and its governance.

She told Blog Preston: “We are aware of concerns relating to the governance and finances of the East Lancashire Deaf Society Ltd and we have opened a regulatory compliance case to examine matters further.

“In order to avoid prejudicing the outcome of this work we cannot comment further at this time.”

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People who are deaf or hard of hearing who need to access support can contact Deafway.