A CHARITY which supports victims of sexual abuse, rape and sex crimes has celebrated its 15th anniversary.

Family Matters, Wrotham Road, Gravesend, released 500 balloons into the sky to mark the occasion.

The charity, which has helped around 5,000 victims during its 15 years, chose the balloons to represent one tenth of them.

Gravesham mayor Councillor Ray Parker and the Government's victims' minister, Fiona Mactaggart, attended the festivities at the Riverside Centre, Dickens Road.

Manager Malcolm Gilbert said: "We were very honoured to have the minister there and we felt recognised for the work we have done over the past 15 years."