Thousands of EU citizens in Worcester have applied to live and work in the UK after Brexit.

The EU Settlement Scheme allows resident EU and Swiss citizens, plus those from the European Economic Area countries to apply to continue living and working in the UK.

The Government has hailed the process as a success, saying it has received more than 3million applications so far.

But EU citizens’ rights campaigners say a small percentage missing out means misery for thousands.

Home Office figures show that 4,500 applications were made in Worcester up to the end of last year, of which 4,040 were finalised. Of those, 2,280 applicants were granted settled status, meaning they have a permanent right to remain in the UK.

A further 1,740 were handed pre-settled status, which gives them permission to keep living in the country and the chance to reapply once they have done so for five years.

The rest had other outcomes, such as being refused or withdrawn.