A PUBLIC meeting is being held to help the 50,000 non-British EU citizens living in Hampshire.

They face an uncertain future under Brexit even though many have lived here for decades.

The meeting, called Hampshire Welcomes EU! has been arranged by Kerstin Reiners, for Winchester Rugby Club in Abbotts Barton this Sunday May 14, from 7pm.

She said: "Being a non-British EU citizen myself, I understand the uncertainty we are facing while Brexit negotiations take shape. I've not had a good night's sleep since the referendum in June last year.

"We want to bring the many EU citizens across Hampshire together to receive an update by a lawyer from the European Law Monitor, and first hand reports from individuals outlining their experiences.

"Brexit has created an environment of hostility. People are unsure what the situation is."

The meeting will be non-partisan and is self funded.

The meeting aims to outline the current situation and highlight where the government is currently in breach of various laws when it comes to permanent residency and citizenship applications.

It will offer advice for people whose legal situation is currently uncertain.

Ms Reiners, from Winchester, added: "It is really important to bring EU citizens and pro-Europeans together to better understand what we need to do to be heard, from letter writing and reporting, and so forth. We are currently not doing it.

"We would also like to form a quasi lobby to gain support from the Hampshire council and various local bodies. This is absolutely not a political event. And the Forum is intended to be positive and constructive in nature."

The Mayor Cllr Jane Rutter will open the event and Claire Bradley, managing director of European Law Monitor, will speak.

There will also be examples from EU citizens living in Hampshire.

While EU citizens' legal status remains unchanged, the rights of EU citizens beyond Brexit have not been guaranteed.

As a result, EU citizens resident in the UK have become concerned for their future, and are seeking permanent residency and citizenship.

Ms Reiners, married to a Briton and with a daughter aged two, has been seeking documents that will support her claim. She has been in Britain since 1993. The photo shows 21 years of evidence of her residing here.