THE Archbishop of Canterbury has urged Worcester people to heal their divisions over Brexit - saying the city can "flourish" outside Europe.

The Most Reverend Justin Welby has also urged Worcestershire to play a bigger role taking in stricken refugees, saying Britain needs to do "a lot more".

Today the nation's most senior Church of England bishop made a first visit to the city in 20 years as part of a dramatic two-day county tour.

In an interview with the Worcester News, he said:

- "God is bigger" than any huge historical event and places like Worcester can flourish "in or out" the EU

- The Diocese of Worcester is doing a superb job helping people find God and tackling long-term declines in church attendances nationwide

- We can't "just dump" refugees here from countries like Syria and forget about them without proper support systems being put in place

In June's historic referendum Worcester helped push the country out the EU, with nearly 54 per cent voting for leave, above even the national average.

The outcome came despite Church of England leaders nationwide backing the remain campaign.

The Archbishop said: "I'd say, as a Christian historical events happen, but God is bigger than anything.

"So whether we're in the European Union or out of it, by serving each other and seeing the common good in one another this place can flourish."

He was also asked whether Worcestershire is doing enough to help refugees, with the county only taking in 60 from war-torn Syria after 12 months of deliberation.

"The Church of England has said very clearly that we think we can do more, that's the point lots of us have been making and the point I've been making too," he said.

"The Government has promised to bring in 20,000 by 2020, within this parliament but the Church believes we should do a lot more.

"But I would also say we can't just take people in, dump them in a place and forget about them - they need proper help in place."

He also heaped praise on the Worcester Diocese.

"Since about the 50s, I think, church attendances have been going down about one per cent a year, roughly," he said.

"But the Church of England is deeply committed to renewal and reform, part of that is looking at what the likes of the Diocese of Worcester is doing.

"There's a real vision here."

The archbishop arrived into the city by train at Shrub Hill station, where he was greeted by jubilant Regency High School pupils this morning.

Children from 74 schools then grilled him during a Q&A at Worcester Cathedral where he tackled questions on issues from same sex marriage to euthanasia.

After going to The Three Counties showground to talk to the rural community he is doing an interview with Jeremy Vine at the Worcester Arena before addressing a 1,600-strong audience tonight.

He is doing a breakfast meeting with around 80 business leaders at Worcestershire County Cricket Club tomorrow, with more events due in Redditch and then the Black Country into Sunday.

Speaking at Worcester Cathedral, he said he "wouldn't miss it for anything".