REFUGEE Week has kicked-off in style in Ipswich with a football tournament designed to bring together all sides of the community.Four teams featuring members from a variety of countries, including Kurdistan, Iran and Africa, took to the practise pitch at Portman Road on Wednesday to battle it out in an afternoon of footballing fun.

REFUGEE Week has kicked-off in style in Ipswich with a football tournament designed to bring together all sides of the community.

Four teams featuring members from a variety of countries, including Kurdistan, Iran and Africa, took to the practise pitch at Portman Road on Wednesday to battle it out in an afternoon of footballing fun.

The tournament, arranged by CSV Media and Ipswich Town Football Club, marked the start of Ipswich's Refugee Week events, which runs until June 24.

Veronica Chambers, of CSV Media, said: "Just seeing how much fun everyone's been having is amazing.

"We want to get rid of the kinds of myths that the tabloids give us and break down barriers, and football is a wonderful way to do that.

"We have got people here from all over the world but everyone has come together on the football pitch and just had a great time."

The four teams, Kurdish Town, Kurdistan Rovers, CSV United and CSV Wanderers, competed on the club's training pitch, behind the Britannia Stand.

Ali Achak, 19, originally from Kurdistan, was cheering his friends on from the sidelines.

He said: "It is just great to get everybody coming down here together like this and for the whole community to share the fun."

Refugee Week is a national initiative and this year's theme is 'Freedom From Persecution'.

There will be displays of Kurdish dancing and speeches happening on the Cornhill in Ipswich on Monday as part of the town's celebrations.