A new specialist support centre for victims of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence could be based in Ealing.

The Mayor of London has announced plans to expand rape crisis services in London and is in talks with Ealing Council about locating a new centre in the borough.

The Greater London Authority will provide £375,000 over three years towards running costs of the new centre.

Ealing Council is looking at possible funding options, including working in partnership with neighbouring councils.

Mr Johnson said: "It is staggering that there was just one rape crisis centre for a city of seven million people. Today we are taking the first steps to redress that injustice."

A further £260,000 will be given to the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre in Croydon, south London, the only one in London at present.

Campaigners for rape victims have been accusing him of failing to deliver the £2.23m of funding he pledged during his election campaign.

Council Leader, Councillor Jason Stacey said: "Providing the proper support for victims of rape and domestic violence is very important to us and we have been very keen to expand the provision of services to help victims in Ealing and across west London."

"We are very excited by the possibilities offered by the GLA funding. We're looking into the implications and have already begun to identify possible locations for any new rape and domestic violence service and we will work with our partners to make sure whatever option is finally selected is a great success."

Deputy Mayor for Policing, Kit Malthouse, said: "For too many years, support for victims of rape in London has been under-funded and neglected by Government. The Mayor is determined to change that by working with local authorities to open three new rape crisis centres.”

"Ealing Council is leading the way by being the first borough to start talks with us about opening a new rape crisis centre for west London. I applaud their commitment to improving services for women in their borough and beyond."

Further work on the proposals will be carried out by council officers and they will report to the council's Cabinet later in the year.