DARWEN town councillor John East has won Rotary award for his work with refugees in the town.

Since retiring in 2010,He has run a 'drop in' centre in the town for asylum seekers and refugees dispersed there under a special the Home Office scheme.

Cllr East has been named as one of eight 'Champions of Change' by Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland. He will be presented with his award at a special ceremony in Nottingham on Friday by the city's Lord Mayor Cllr Liaqat Ali.

Whitehall ward Liberal Democrat Cllr East, a member of Darwen Rotary Club for 13 years, said “I am honoured and privileged to be named a Champion of Change

"Darwen Asylum Refugee Enterprise supports many displaced people who have fled their countries. For me the most important aspect is the success stories of many refugees who have gone on to become doctors, nurses, journalists, quantity surveyors, students, carers. lawyers, a ministers of religion."

He added: "We give hot meals and opportunities to integrate, learn English, find jobs and start a CV. volunteer and be part of the local community. We act as a signpost to legal advice and also organise trips and events."