DARLINGTON’S foodbank network has been praised for welcoming refugees and asylum seekers.

Darlington Assistance for Refugees said it was “tremendous” that foodbanks were willing to help those seeking shelter in the town.

A spokeswoman for DAR said it was common in other areas for refugees to face restrictions when attempting to access help from foodbanks.

She said: “We feel it is tremendous that foodbanks in Darlington are not making these sorts of restrictions on usage and wish to celebrate this fact.”

The Salvation Army’s Colin Bradshaw, who operates an emergency Friday night foodbank, said the facility was open to anyone struggling to get by.

He added: “The Salvation Army is helping refugees from the moment they arrive from places like Syria.

“A refugee is someone seeking refuge from horrific circumstances where often, their only other option is death.

“We have got to support them and it is an opportunity for us to show that Darlington is a loving, caring community willing to help people.”

Caroline Todd from the King’s Church foodbank added: “We’re prepared to offer support where needed.

“As a foodbank, we’ll offer as much help as we would to anyone else – at the end of the day, these people are god’s children too.

“I cannot imagine the horrific places they have come through.”

Darlington Food Store Network operates a number of foodbanks across Darlington. For more information, email kelvin.marsh@foodstorenetwork.org.