Refugee charities in Cumbria have called upon the new Government to overhaul how the UK treats people seeking asylum.

Project for the Empowerment of Refugees and Asylum Seekers' (PERN) director Sarah Wilson has called for a fresh strategy that ensures protection for people fleeing war and persecution.

The call follows the election of a new Labour government on Thursday.

"Refugees have always been part of the UK and we ask our new Government to rebuild this tradition," Ms Wilson said. 

"For too long PERN has watched lives destroyed and talent lost, because of the hostile environment. This makes no sense.  

"It is time for change in how we treat those who seek sanctuary in the UK and this will be good for communities, good for people and good for the economy," she said.

The refugee plan PERN is advocating for, along with other charities nationally, the UK to honour its international law commitments on asylum-seeking rights and rejection of the Conservative Party's 'Rwanda scheme'.

It also features a strategy for welcoming immigrants by expediting decisions on asylum applications and providing opportunities to integrate into communities.

The group has also urged for stronger global cooperation to address the root causes forcing people to flee their homes, with a sound solution when they do, including safe routes to refugee protection.

The charity aims to open a dialogue with the county's newly-elected MPs on this matter going ahead. 

A spokesperson from Carlisle's Refugee Action Group added: "We welcome the end of the cruel Rwanda 'plan'.

"We continue to hope that refugees and asylum-seekers will be treated with kindness and dignity and trust that their rights under international law will be respected."