The incredible stories behind the hundreds of refugees who have come to the UK to escape conflict are the focus of a new community theatre production.

Northfleet charity Walk Tall has been working with unaccompanied young asylum seekers aged between 11 and 17 since 2015, with Gravesham boasting one of the highest populations of such migrants in Kent.

Almost two years later and the charity is ready to share their journeys with a performance at The Woodville on Tuesday.

For charity chief executive Ann Duke it is an opportunity to put human faces to the immigration figures that so many across the country appear to view with such disdain.

“Some of these guys have incredible stories,” she said.

“One of the first who came through was 11, had spent time in the Calais Jungle having come over from Afghanistan, and didn’t speak a word of English.

“He didn’t know where in Afghanistan he came from, his two brothers had died, and was left over here not knowing the language. It was very traumatic for him.”

Walk Tall became a key part in the lives of such children, providing them with basic English and maths lessons, as well as teaching them about the history and culture of the place they now called home.

Having barely made it out of their own countries alive, just being in a classroom is something none of them have taken for granted.

“I know it’s at a cost to the Exchequer, there’s population pressure, and all the other things people have concerns about, but these kids are highly respectful, very helpful, and keen to learn,” said Ann.

“We can’t get them out of the classroom. These young people want to give back to this country because we have given them a chance.”

"These young people want to give back to this country because we have given them a chance" Ann Duke

The charity wants their voices to be heard through the aptly named Our Voices project, of which the theatrical performance is a part.

Professional actors will bring their stories to life on the stage, and pupils from St John’s School in Gravesend will also give a performance.

There will then be a short film, followed by a Question Time-style debate led by an expert panel, allowing people to ask questions about immigration and the life of a refugee coming to the UK.

It starts at 10am on Tuesday and is expected to go on until 1pm. It is free but if you would like to attend, register at bit.ly/2kZ17PU.