A DROP-IN centre for refugees and asylum seekers is to extend its services and willl now open five days a week following a £400,000 cash injection.

The Sanctuary Project, based at Blackburn's Wesley Hall Methodist Church, had previously only opened on a Tuesday but will now operate from 9am to 5pm every day of the working week.

The church-based coalition, which unites expertise from the Church of England, the Methodist Church, and the Children's Society, has gained the three-years worth of funding following a succession of successful grant applications.

This includes a £300,000 donation from the Big Lottery Fund.

The Feilden Street site provides advice on subjects ranging from the benefit system to housing conditions.

It currently helps around 100 people a day and it is hoped that the new opening hours will extend this to providing a service for the estimated 500 asylum seekers and 300 refugees living in Blackburn with Darwen.

Canon Michael Wedgeworth, of Blackburn cathedral, said: "Our overall aim is to offer practical help, support and advice to people in our community living in near destitution and often in fear."

Rev Jim Jones, minister at Wesley Hall, added: "A huge encouragement to our work has been the way ethnic and religious divides are crossed by mutual acts of support and help."

The projects success stories include Farzaneh Salemi, who has now been granted refugee status.

She said: "I endured brutal treatment in Iran for my religious and political views but now enjoy living in a peaceful and tolerant country."

Zakariah Insingoma, who faced persecution in Uganda, added: "I can pray freely in the cathedral and have made many friends here. "

Bsrat Tewolde, a Christian from Eritrea who is still fighting for refugee status said: "The project has given me a new sense of confidence and freedom to live my faith. "