HAMPSHIRE church leaders have teamed up in a bid to get more help for refugees fleeing Syria.

All say they recognise the Government is now putting a “significant amount” of money into refugee camps and also planning to allow some refugees to come to the UK.

However, the leaders, who include the Rev Canon Tim Sledge, of Romsey Abbey, Sim Dendy from the New Life Church, Father George Ngwa, of the Roman Catholic Church, Alun Richards, on behalf of Romsey Baptist Church along with the Rev Gareth Hill, Romsey Methodist Circuit, Angela Bevan, on behalf of United Reformed Church, Mike Perks, from the town’s Quakers meeting and Dave Walker, Romsey Elim Church, all agree more needs to be done to help the refugees.

In a joint statement the leaders said: “As leaders of the Churches in Romsey, we recognise the growing humanitarian crisis which is facing our world. There are now more than 4.2 million refugees from Syria alone - greater than the total population of Wales.

"We can do more and we call upon leaders of local government and local community groups to respond with greater compassion and with greater urgency.

"The Christian faith teaches us to love our neighbour but many more times it tells us to love the stranger as well.

"The refugee’s burden of fear, loss and deprivation is our burden as common humanity. We must find a language of welcome and not suspicion.”

The church leaders add: “As well as in Syria, 3500 refugees remain camped in Calais and many of these have been there for years.

"In support of these refugees, Churches in Romsey are providing a collection point for tinned food and clothing, and details of this can be found on the Romsey Abbey website romseyabbey.org.uk.

"We hope that Test Valley Borough Council will also explore the possibility of making some of its empty properties available as a short term solution to this long-term crisis.”