A MEDIA project run by asylum seekers and refugees is aiming to tell the true stories behind immigration.

Organised through a teaching centre in Stockton, the project has resulted in language students producing an online radio programme.

As part of the broadcast, the language students -all refugees and asylum seekers -have interviewed local people, including doctors and film actors.

Students at Stockton's International Family Centre are hoping to interview asylum seekers and refugees living in the region about their experiences of coming here.

Interviewer Mustafa Abdulsaleh said he wanted to use the interviews to tell the stories of asylum seekers in the UK.

The 36-year-old Iraqi Kurd, who came to the North-East three years ago, said: "I am interested in finding out how asylum seekers in my situation are coping with life here.

"Some newspapers are trying to a give a bad impression about refugees, but the truth is many of us have gone through very bad experiences. The problem is many of us do not speak good English so it's hard for us to defend ourselves."

Mr Abdulsaleh has carried out several interviews for the online radio show, including one with actor Leslie Simpson.

Mr Simpson, from Eston, who was in recent British horror film The Descent, said: "I think the project is a great idea and I was happy to take part.

"Mustafa certainly did not flinch from asking some probing questions. It is easy for people to attack asylum seekers because they are a soft target who are not likely to say anything back."

Mr Abdulsaleh, who worked in a cosmetics shop in Iraq, said: "I like doing interviews and I do not find them difficult.

"There are always many questions to ask -people are interesting."