CARTOONISTS are to produce a Welcome to Britain colouring book for refugee children in response to a Tory minister ordering staff at a child refugee reception centre to paint over cartoon characters on a wall because they were “too welcoming.”

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick gave the heartless order when he visited a reception centre in Dover and found Disney cartoon characters Mickey Mouse and Baloo the bear painted on a wall.

The colouring book will be produced by 50 members of the Professional Cartoonists’ Organisation, which includes some of the UK’s best-known cartoonists, among them Terry Gilliam and Tony Husband. They are working on the project with the Refugee Council.

The book will feature drawings of quintessential aspects of British culture including the full English breakfast and the Loch Ness Monster. Organisers plan an initial print run of 1,000 books.

The cost of each book and a set of colouring pencils is £3 and an appeal for funds has been launched by campaigning website 38 Degrees.

Organisers said Mr Jenrick’s instruction was “utterly heartless.”

“For vulnerable young children who’ve just made a long, terrifying journey, the cartoons were the only warm thing in an otherwise sterile environment.

“The move left so many of us who want the UK to be a safe, welcoming place for people fleeing war and persecution feeling outraged. These children have had their homes destroyed, loved ones killed, been tortured or trafficked.”

They said the book initiative would “help counter the government’s divisive rhetoric and show politicians that we, the public, want fairer, more humane treatment for children fleeing war and persecution.”