EU citizens living in Richmond during the Brexit process will be given support, the borough's leader has said.

Cllr Gareth Roberts pledged his support at the Citizens Advice Richmond’s free public information event for the borough’s EU citizens at Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College.

Wednesday's event was delivered as part of a package of support the council has commissioned to support EU residents as the country moves forward to leave Europe.

Almost 100 people turned out to get updates on the latest Brexit developments and find out what steps they need to take to protect their future in the UK.

At the event, Cllr Roberts said: “As a result of Brexit people are rightly starting to face questions about their job prospects or where they will be living in the future.

“So, as a council we want to give as much help and support as we possibly can. We have commissioned a number of services, such as a series of information evenings like this and an advice service through Citizens Advice Richmond.

“Another small thing we can offer is a European Passport Return Service. This is incredibly useful is you are considering applying for permanent residency or notice for the right to stay.

“Normally you would have to send your current passport off to the Embassy. But, what you can do instead is take your passport to the Registrar Office in York House where it will be validated. This means you can keep your passport whilst your application is being processed.

“Over the coming months we will be looking at other ways we can help you. But I would like you to know that you have friends in York House and the Council. We are here to support you.”

Simon Lawson from Citizens Advice Richmond, said: “We are the biggest provider of advice in the borough, helping over 5,000 people a year. All our advice is free, impartial and confidential covering generalist and specialist areas.

“We estimate that about 1 in 6 of our clients are EU citizens from other countries so we are already being relied on, particularly at the moment when people are worried about their status.

“So, we have been working with the council to launch this specific, dedicated advice service for EU nationals. The service includes events like this, outreach work to support organisations who employ or work with EU citizens from other countries and a dedicated 1:1 advice service.

“I encourage any EU resident with questions, to contact us and access the support we have on offer.”

For more information, go to: www.citizensadvicerichmond.org