A campaign hoping to resettle a refugee family in Bridport has gained charity status.

Bridport Refugee Support Campaign is now a registered charity.

Barry Lovejoy, chairman of the charity, said: "There were many delays due to the Covid-19 situation, but we eventually got that.

"It means we can now move forward in the new year with fundraising activities."

The campaign is aiming to raise £15,000.

"That's to cover the costs when the family come over, settlement costs and things like that," added Barry.

"Of course, it's still going to be a bit difficult because in normal times, we could organise more live events, but nevertheless, we have some potential. We have four pieces of art now and we're hoping to organise an auction at some point for that, which is really great because we have had good support from that community at the moment."

The group is hoping to be able to hold events in December when the lockdown is due to be lifted.

Barry said: "In December, if the arts centre can reopen again, we are due to be involved in the Exile exhibition and events that are taking place towards the end of December.'

Cedoux Kadima, Ricky Romain and Robert Golden are part of the multimedia art installation which includes paintings, film, photographs, music and texts, due to open in the Allsop Gallery on December 2.

Members of Bridport Refugee Support Campaign hope to have a stall and hold events around the exhibition.

"On December 18, we will be hosting an event in the Allsop Gallery where the exhibition is, where – we hope, if it runs – there will be a refugee who was brought over to Devon who will talk to people. We're hoping it will go ahead but if not, it will be rearranged for the new year.

"We're going to be sitting down and brainstorming a six-month programme of fundraising. A lot of that will be Crowdfunding or online initially. Then, our other job will be to secure housing eventually. We need to find a rented place so we will be starting to look at that as well.

"No doubt, when the weather picks up again, we will be doing a stall again, going around the town and having a presence, leafleting around shops."

The campaign is gathering a lot of support from residents.

Barry added: "We were really pleased to receive a grant from Bridport Town Council from its annual grants, we received £500 for set up charges, not to donates to the cause. We are really grateful for that.

"We've got more than 100 supporters signed up for either general support or volunteering for specific tasks or for when the family come, like language training and possible work on the property – we're quite pleased about that."

For more information or to pledge your support, visit Bridport Refugee Support Campaign's Facebook page.