ASYLUM seekers will be offered help at a new drop-in centre being set up in Bolton -- at a cost of £400,000.

A group backed by Bolton Community College is pushing for cash from the European Refugee Fund.

If granted, the organisation would offer befriending and support for more than 850 asylum seekers and refugees, mainly from Afghanistan, Iraq, Sri Lanka and Somalia -- countries with well-documented human rights abuses. The money would be equivalent to £500 for each immigrant.

Around £20,000 would be handed to a group called BRASS (Befriending Refugees and Asylum Seekers), set up to educate people who come to Bolton.

The bulk of the remaining cash would go to the college to pay for teachers and support staff. Some of the money would be given to Bolton Ethnic Minority and Asylum Seekers (BEMAS) which looks after children of refugees.

Currently, BRASS is being funded by Bolton Council's housing department and cash from the town's renewal fund but that will cease if European money is won.

BRASS is based in the Wesley Suite at Victoria Hall, Bolton.

More than 100 people attended the launch of the service, including 75 who were asylum seekers or refugees.

Ray Collett, chairman of BRASS, said: "It is a pleasure to befriend a group of people who genuinely need all the support they can get.

"Together with the other groups, both voluntary and statutory, we hope we can demonstrate that Bolton continues to welcome people from all over the world, not only as visitors but also to settle and become part of our wide multi-ethnic community."

BRASS will provide drop-in facilities for refugees and asylum seekers, offering social activities, practice in speaking English, advice and help in filling out forms, access to the Internet, computer training, and health and hygiene.

The Rev Philip Mason said: "This partnership is exciting, and gives us a chance to work together in a new way."

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr John Walsh, also paid tribute to the sterling work being done in Bolton with asylum seekers and refugees.

Anyone wanting to volunteer to support the group should contact Ray Collett at BRASS, Wesley Suite, Victoria Hall, Knowsley Street, Bolton or call 01204 523200.