A SYRIAN refugee family had sixth form students from two Christian Brothers schools hanging on their every word as they recounted their recent escape from a crumbling Aleppo.

It is hoped the interviews with teenage authors will lead to a ground breaking book to set the record straight on the refugee's plight.

Father Mostaffa fled 12 months ago but was only reunited with his wife Nadin and their five-year-old son, called Him, three weeks ago.

Mostaffa said: “Coming back from the Manchester Airport with Brother Gervase, my baby boy whom I had not seen for a year, told me the car taking them to the airport in Aleppo had been bombed and that he had been very frightened and I could only tell him that he was safe now he was in England.”

The refugees came to St. Ambrose College in Hale Barns to meet students together with young men and women from St. Joseph's College in Stoke to discuss a new book detailing what life is like for refugees and asylum seekers living in and around the North West.

Brother Gervase, who lives and works at the Christian Brothers' mission in Salford, which alongside with the Revive Centre, operates as a drop in centre for refugees and asylum seekers, said: “Contrary to what some people might believe, the reaction from local people has been nothing but positive.

"People in Salford are welcoming, considerate and helpful. They want to know what these people have lived through and are keen to help. We don't find any sense of resentment at all.

“With the help of local students, who we want to act as translators and writers, we want to write a book telling of their struggles not just in their home countries but more importantly when they arrive the U.K. We want to show how difficult it is for them to get recognised by the system and to become valuable members of society.”

George Pitt, St. Ambrose College sixth form student, said: “It’s important to remember that these refugees and asylum seekers are real people; they are educated, just like us and they have a history, just like us.

"Certain elements of the mainstream media may tell us otherwise but the vast majority of these people are simply fleeing conflict and horrendous conditions that are impossible for most of us to even begin to imagine.”