Community groups joined together to make sure refugees who are arriving in Cumbria feel welcome.

Amnesty UK Carlisle has formed an alliance with Carlisle Refugee Action Group (CRAG) and the Allerdale Amnesty Group to offer a welcome to refugees.

As part of Refugee Week, Amnesty UK encouraged community groups to come together for a photo at a local landmark in support of refugees and the important contribution they make to every day life.

Amnesty wants to encourage local communities to work together to create a more welcoming environment for people fleeing conflict and persecution, while calling on the government to open up more safe and legal routes for refugees to reach safety in the UK.

The Cumbrian groups decided to take the picture at Carlisle Castle on Saturday. Adrienne Gill, of CRAG, said it was a nice event, particularly as the sun came out.

She believes it is critically important to keep pushing the message that refugees are welcome.

"Especially in light of the last few weeks where fear and suspicious has been heightened once again after the recent attacks," she said. "It's important to keep getting that message across - refugees are vulnerable people and they need to be welcomed in a safe environment."

Local Amnesty groups and CRAG have been working with refugees who have already arrived in Cumbria by providing general support.

Adrienne said: “CRAG is working to make sure that Carlisle and north Cumbria are a welcoming place for refugees through a number of projects we run locally and overseas.”

Ruth Guthrie of Amnesty UK Allerdale Group added: “We were pleased to support this event to hopefully ensure that refugees settle down successfully to their new life in Cumbria.”

The theme at the upcoming Unity Festival on Saturday, July 8, in Carlisle city centre is connecting communities and diversity.

The day will be a celebration of diversity and communities in Carlisle with food, music and film from all over the world.