Young asylum seekers arriving from war-torn Syria and other troubled parts of the world are being helped to blend into their new surroundings.

More than 70 pairs of trainers were donated, as well as £300 in cash, after an appeal in Catholic churches in Redcar, Marske and Saltburn.

Students at the Sacred Heart Secondary School in Redcar designed posters which were displayed in the churches and parishioners responded generously.“There’s a lot of negative publicity out there and this is a good news story about the integration of asylum seekers into our community and people helping them to live with dignity,” said Church Urban Fund’s Together Middlesbrough & Cleveland development officer Terry Doyle.

Students will help present the trainers Wednesday (June 22).