THE LORD Mayor of Oxford is to hold a reception for residents from the 27 countries in the European Union.

Councillor Colin Cook will hold the anti-Brexit reception on Wednesday, February 27, from 6.30pm in the Town Hall.

A representative from each of the 27 countries is expected to attend.

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The mayor said: “I am very happy to host a reception for a representative from each of the 27 EU nations who are local residents in Oxford.

Mr Cook continued: “Given the uncertainties over Brexit, Oxford City Council wants to send a message that EU 27 residents in Oxford are welcome here, and belong here.”

Places were being handed out on a first come first served basis, with organisers hoping to have at least one person from each of the nations present.

In a letter addressed to European residents in Oxford, councillor John Tanner, who is also the secretary of Oxford European Association, said: “The city council wants to send a message that EU 27 residents in Oxford are welcome here and belong here.”

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Urging them to ‘let others know about this reception’ he asked attendees to dress in national costume or bring their national flag.

Last month EU nationals in the county hit out at a Home Office scheme asking them to apply to stay in the country, with some saying they were ‘ashamed’ to say they live here after Brexit.

The Home Office has now scrapped the fee associated with the scheme.