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.

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.