The generosity of the people of Bridport and their sense of community shines through in a Christmas card for a local refugee support campaign.

The campaign to bring a refugee family to the area has been gathering momentum in recent months with money being raised to allow a local group to become a part of the government's Community Sponsorship Scheme for refugees.

The family are due to arrive in January.

A Christmas card to further highlight the initiative and help raise additional funds has now been unveiled. It has been designed by local artist, established illustrator Claudio Muñoz.

In the Christmas story there was no room at the inn for Mary and Joseph - but on Claudio's card there are rooms available at The Open Arms in Bridport.

Joseph says to Mary on the card, 'OK. It is off script but this is Bridport, right?'

“We want to thank him for his beautiful, heartwarming and humorous take on the Christmas story,” said Margie Barbour, one of the trustees on the campaign committee.

“The card celebrates the generosity of the people of Bridport and their powerful sense of community, revealed in its title “Room at the Inn”.

The cards, which cost £4 for five, are now on sale in local shops - Fruits of the Earth, Leakers, Waste Not Want Not and the TIC.

The committee says it is very grateful to these businesses for their kindness in selling the cards, especially in the busy run up to Christmas.

Claudio Muñoz is a successful local artist and illustrator. His drawings have appeared in most major newspapers and magazines, including The Economist for more than 20 years as well as in more than 30 children’s books, including award winners.

He was born in southern Chile in 1947 and moved to the UK in 1978 to marry and work as an illustrator. He still does a weekly editorial cartoon which can be seen, courtesy of Rosie Young and Caroline Murdock, in the window of The Old Bridport Bookshop in Bucky Doo Square, Bridport, and on Instagram.

Margie Barbour said very generous local landlords have offered their flat to be rented for the refugee family, which the committee are now preparing. As it is unfurnished, they are busy finding beds, cupboards, sofas, chests of drawers and all the bed linen, cooking equipment, crockery and cutlery needed to help the family settle into their new home.

For more information or to offer to help email the committee on Bridportrsg@gmail.com