BURY is spearheading a campaign for the Government to grant a family amnesty to asylum seekers and their children.

Organisers ultimately hope to win national recognition in their fight to prevent refugees from being forced to return to their homes where they could face destitution, persecution and even death.

The local Castaways Campaign is being co-ordinated by two groups - Eagles Wing and Solidarity the Bury Committee - and has already won widespread backing among churches, organisations and individuals within the North West and beyond.

Castaways has been established on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers and their families who meet regularly at the town's Mosses Centre.

The town's Solidarity committee was launched four years ago to provide vital support to local refugees and asylum seekers. The 25-strong group offers friendship and social support and, to date, has staged around 40 monthly socials at the Mosses Centre which have been attended by more than 200 people.

In 2006, a £500,000 Awards for all Lottery grant helped fund a weekly drop-in sessions held each Tuesday. Later, a self-help group was formed and they chose to call themselves The Eagles Wing as a sign of their wish to protect each other.

Treasurer Sue Arnall said: "We now have two weekly afternoon drop-in sessions, having begun another on Thursday afternoons which is a play and stay session for parents with small children.

"Half of our members are children. We have known many of them for the past three years, so have seen them grow and progress. Some of them are now at nursery. This is the motivation for the Castaways Campaign. We all feel desperately moved by the fear the parents have of being uprooted from Bury and sent back to the country from which they have fled.

"They have all, without exception, come here to make a safer life for their children," added Sue. The refugees have to sign on' every month and each time they go, they fear they may be detained. "The fear is palpable and is felt by their children. There was a family amnesty in October, 2000. That meant that families arriving here before that date are allowed to stay," she explained.

"Our members consist of some who came here before then, and are now safe, and their friends who have arrived since then, who are in fear. The Castaways Campaign is asking for a new amnesty so that the children trapped in the system can carry on cheerfully believing they are English and gain the benefits of our community life."

The Mosses Centre has become a focal point for them and activities embrace refreshments and the swapping of household goods, clothes and toys. Local residents have come forward to help and provide classes in yoga and nutrition. Key backing has also come from Bury Citizens Advice Bureau and Groundwork.

Commenting on the Castaways exercise, Sue added: "The campaign started locally, but we have received support from a range of towns. And once our MPs have received our campaign material, we are hoping they will represent our views in Westminster, either directly to the Home Office, asking for an amnesty, or with an early day motion.

"At that point, we will go national with the publicity and hope to get support for the demand from other towns in similar situations."