Walkers follow in refugees' steps

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Refugee Action says some asylum seekers have no financial support

A sponsored walk has traced the route taken by Leicester asylum seekers required to report regularly to an immigration centre 25 miles away.

A group of 20 people spent more than seven hours following the steps of asylum seekers from Leicester to the Loughborough centre and back again.

Organisers from Refugee Action said refugees often have no money for transport and have to borrow or walk.

They hope the event on Saturday will raise £3,000 for the charity.

It is estimated there are up to 2,000 refugees in the East Midlands.

Aidan Hallett, from the charity, said: "We're conscious that many asylum seekers in Leicester are destitute, but also have to report every week or month to the reporting centre in Loughborough.

"I wanted to do this walk in solidarity with people who have no funds and have to borrow or go to charities in order to comply with Home Office regulations."