A BILLBOARD in Old Town which welcomes refugees to Swindon received a strong show of support from Adver readers.

More than 100 people reacted positively to the article about the Swindon City of Sanctuary’s sign which now stands on Newport Street and includes many kind messages from schoolchildren, teachers, businesspeople, community organisation teams and faith groups.

The latest addition to the area was supported by Create Studios and Richard James estate agents, aiming to provide a friendly gesture to those who are seeking safety in the town after fleeing danger.

Many Adver readers posted welcoming comments about the billboard, though a few people were less happy with it.

Here’s what you had to say...

Chris Gaulton: “Welcome to Swindon! Please ignore the ignorance of the few. It annoys me that people don’t understand what these refugees gave up in their own country to keep their families safe. 

“A lot of these refugees put themselves in danger to help British and coalition forces.”

Paula Fennell: “And so they should be welcomed. Christ knows they’ve suffered enough. Let them settle in peace.”

Jools Janisch-Howe: “These people seeking refuge elsewhere did not ask to be born into war-torn and unsafe countries. They are doing what they feel they need to, to survive.”

Pam Perrett: “The homeless should come first.”

Beckie Paddington: “Refugees are homeless. They have been forced to escape persecution."

Adrian Sawyer: “We’re one of the richest nations on earth, why can’t we prioritise keeping all vulnerable people safe, regardless of why they need help?”

Zac Maidment: “This isn’t a zero-sum game. The government can more than afford it. After all, if they can spend £30bn on an app, or £110bn on a vanity project, I don’t see why they can’t do both.”

Teresa Martin: “'Our homeless' are not fleeing armed conflict or persecution whereas refugees are.”

Tara Kay Wilson: “My nine-year-old son is on this billboard and I love the fact he got to take part in this project.

“God help our future with some of these comments! Most of the refugees – which, may I add, are the same human race as us – are professionals, lawyers, doctors, nurses, so let’s pray you don’t need the use of their services one day.”

Rhys Davies: “Not only are people not understanding, they’re also just plain ignorant and racist.”

David King: “Controlled immigration welcome and it should be done on merit and not just let anyone in who won’t work or contribute to this country.”

Paul Tubb: “Immigrants make a greater contribution to the UK economy than the natives.”

Ian Buckingham: “Do not judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes.”

Terry Johns: “Just a quick message to those who say we should help British homeless first. There are supposedly 288,539 empty homes in the UK. There are fewer than that, in terms of homeless people.”

Pete Roberts: “I blame Tony Blair, because if he hadn’t gone to war with the Middle East then this wouldn’t be happening.”

Lynn Earl: “This makes me sick. There are plenty of our own that need looking after. They needs roof, food etc you don’t find a refugee asylum seeker sleeping on the street. Look after our own first.”

Leah Georgina: “'Our own’ – as opposed to other humans being what? Aliens? Because they were born on a different area of land separated by an imaginary line? 

“I, for one, would be first in line to seek refuge in a safer place if England were to be in the position Afghanistan is now.”

Dan Miller: "To be more accurate, it should be ‘We welcome genuine refugees, but not illegal immigrants’ but the do-gooders don’t seem to be able to differentiate.”

Nanny Silver: “You do realise illegal immigrants live below the radar? They are not entitled to any help whatsoever, no benefits, health care, not entitled to work or housing, the clue is in the word illegal.”