REFUGEES and asylum seekers from around the world are going back to school - to become British citizens.

Immigrants from the Philippines, Iraq, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria, Lebanon and Afghanistan will become British citizens in Middlesbrough, on Monday.

Citizenship ceremonies became the responsibility of local councils in 2004 and they have been held in Middlesbrough Town Hall since.

But to involve the community in welcoming 30 arrivals to Britain, they will take an oath of allegiance in Abingdon Primary School, at 6pm.

Robert Wills, the superintendent registrar, will lead the ceremony and candidates will make an oath of allegiance to the Queen and pledge to respect Britain's freedoms and uphold the country's democratic values.

They will each receive a certificate and commemorative gift before they are entertained by the school's steel band and enjoy refreshments.

Friends and family of the candidates will attend the event, along with Abingdon School pupils.

Mr Wills said: "Becoming a UK citizen is a significant event and one that we want to ensure they will never forget.

"The ceremony underlines the responsibilities and rights we all have and exercise as citizens of the UK and I'm particularly pleased that schoolchildren will be present, as issues such as citizenship, civic values and respect for diversity are now part of the school curriculum.

"This is a great opportunity for them to witness what it means to be a member of an open democratic society."

About 100 people are expected to be at the event.

Abingdon School steel band performed when 25 people from 13 countries took part in a citizenship ceremony in Middlesbrough last May.

The first ceremony for immigrants granted British citizenship took place in London in 2004. Nineteen people from ten countries took part.

Prince Charles, who attended, said he hoped it "added something to the significance" of becoming a UK citizen.