ASYLUM seekers in Southampton are being helped to learn English and find work thanks to a Lottery windfall.

The huge £227,000 grant has been handed to City Life Education and Action for Refugees (CLEAR) in a bid to integrate the hundreds of people seeking refuge into local society.

There are currently 2,000 asylum seekers and refugees in the city. Two-thirds of the people helped by the charity, which was set up 18 months ago and is based at City Life Church, have already been granted residency in the UK.

But the community fund handout has been criticised by a leading councillor who says other worthy causes could benefit from the cash. Royston Smith, deputy leader of the city council's Conservative group, said: "People don't have a great deal of choice where Lottery money is spent.

"On the face of it, when you hear money has been allocated to asylum seekers it does not wear well.

"There are other worthy causes. Asylum seekers are allocated funding by the state in the proper manner and that should be enough until they are given leave to stay."

But Paul Woodman, from the church in Latimer Street, says the grant is great news: "We are delighted with the grant from the Community Fund for this project.

"It has been a privilege over the past few years to meet and support people from at least 25 different countries and to hear first hand the personal stories of those fleeing desperate situations.

"We are already supporting around 100 refugees and asylum seekers each month with our services."

The Community Fund awards grants to charities and voluntary groups that help the disadvantaged

Faith-based charity CLEAR will get its Lottery cash over the next three years. It will also be used for training and a bicycle recycling project and support.