A FLINTSHIRE town is working towards making Wales the world's first Nation of Sanctuary.

Holywell is working towards the Welsh Government aim and is set to become a 'town of sanctuary'.

Roberta Owen of St Peter’s Church and the Holywell Transition group, said: "We can be proud that Wales – which has always been known for its hospitality - already has more Sanctuary groups in relation to its size and population than any other part of the UK."

Representatives from a wide range of Holywell organisations attended a meeting on July 9 in St Peter’s Church including: Holywell Town Council, the NSPCC, the Rotary Club, St John Ambulance, five Holywell churches/chapels, Ysgol Bro Carmel, Transition Holywell & District, the Greenfield Valley Trust and Holywell & District Society.

Representatives also attended from St Vincent de Paul, the Clocktower Project Mostyn, CAHA Women’s Aid, and the North Wales Regional Equality Network.

A group of people in Mold, called Synergy, is working within the ethos of Town of Sanctuary and is already well established.

The name Synergy was chosen to also include destitute people in Mold and surrounding area.

Maire Grainey, the speaker at the meeting and a member of the Mold group, explained what being a Town of Sanctuary involves.

A town of sanctuary involves research and awareness about refugees and asylum seekers, networking with other groups, drawing up a vision statement, contacting local organisations and encourage them to pledge their support, raise awareness in schools, setting up a website and befriending refugee families in the area.

Mrs Owen said the group will meet again in September and meanwhile a database of local organisations will be produced - as the need to raise awareness as widely as possible is paramount at this stage.

One of the issues raised at the meeting was the callous way that even child refugees, who have suffered terrible traumas, are sometimes treated when they arrive in this country.

She added: "Over the centuries hundreds of thousands of pilgrims have made their way to Holywell in search of healing.

"We want to help continue that tradition by making Holywell a place of welcome and safety, showing respect and care for those fleeing violence, persecution and extreme poverty."