CHARITIES and community leaders from across Greater Manchester were today pledging to help the region's refugees and asylum seekers in a landmark declaration at Manchester town hall.

New measures to reduce racial harassment and promote interaction between communities were also included in a statement intended to set new standards of conduct towards Manchester's immigrant population.

The Welcome in Manchester? initiative, headed by Oxfam and Refugee Action, lays down minimum standards that participating organisations must follow when dealing with refugees and asylum seekers.

Charity bosses were joined by Manchester Central MP Tony Lloyd, Manchester city councillor Marilyn Taylor, and Chief Supt Tony Porter, of Greater Manchester Police, at the town hall launch. The Bishop of Manchester, Christopher Mayfield, also offered support.

Manchester's 4,000-strong community of asylum seekers and refugees is one of the largest and most diverse in the UK, with an estimated 90 nationalities, speaking more than 30 languages.

Khan Moghal, chief executive of the Manchester Council for Community Relations, said the move could foster a new co-ordinated approach towards immigrants.

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