In the light of the horrifically shocking pictures of drowned children, and the astonishing figures of how few refugees we have allowed into the UK, I am writing to ask everyone to demand change to our outdated and merciless refugee policies.

The 'migrants' label has dehumanised every person who has fled the horrors of war and torture in their own countries. These are fellow human beings, and there but for fortune go you or I.

I call on you all to ask our politicians both local and national, to put pressure on the government to take our fair share of refugees into the UK.

In Iceland, the government promised to house 50 refugees from Syria. The Icelandic people (population 300,000) took matters into their own hands, and 10,000 of them have offered spaces in their homes.

My family and I are willing to welcome refugees into our home.

This is one way we can try to bring about a better balance in the world.

Mark Maddrell, Lock's Hill, Frome