COUNCILS in East Lancashire are to take refugees fleeing war-torn countries in the Middle East and Africa as campaigners call on the Government to provide more support to local authorities offering to help.

Pendle Council is to house 20 families fleeing the conflict in Syria, while Ribble Valley will house five families in Clitheroe and five families in Longridge as part of a pilot scheme.

Other local councils are also set to hold discussions on what they can do to help, with Prime Minister David Cameron saying yesterday that the UK will accept ‘thousands’ more refugees who are trying to get into Europe.

It comes as Blackburn-based Al-Imdaad Foundation launched an emergency appeal to raise £50,000 to provide food, shelter and medical help for those caught up in the crisis.

The situation, described the the United Nations as the ‘worst since World War Two’, has seen an estimated 300,000 men, women and children attempt the perilous crossing of the Mediterranean so far this year.

Hyndburn Council said it was confident of being able to take at least 10 families, while discussions are due to take place in Burnley over the issue next week.

Blackburn with Darwen already houses 350 refugees as part of a deal with the Home Office, but the borough is under pressure to take more, with John East, a support worker for asylum seekers and refugees in the area, calling for the area to declare itself a ‘town of sanctuary’.

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, leader of Pendle Council, urged other councils to follow its lead.

He said: “We are deeply concerned about the harrowing effects of war on children and families in Syria. We are urging the Government to do more.

“We will work with Government agencies and local organisations to co-ordinate efforts in Pendle to help any families who come here, escaping from a desperate crisis.

“We are willing to welcome up to 20 families.

“The conflict in Syria has created a severe and worsening emergency, with four million refugees fleeing into neighbouring countries. They are in desperate need.

“I urge every council in the UK to offer support and take action. Together we can make a difference.”

At a meeting this week councillors in the Ribble Valley agreed to take 10 families, spread across the two towns, with the pilot scheme to be reviewed within six months from the first occupation.

Earlier this week shadow home secretary and Labour leadership candidate Yvette Cooper called on towns and cities in the UK to take 10 refugee families each as part of a plan to take a further 10,000 across the country.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, the leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said: “We have tasked officers to carry out an assessment on what we can offer, which involves discussions with partner agencies.

“We had a letter from Yvette Cooper who is asking councils to take 10 refugee families and we think that should be achievable, but we will carry out an assessment to see what else we can do.”

Cllr Mohammed Khan, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We already provide support to around 350 refugees, while other councils in the area don’t currently support any.

“We will be discussing the issue with our partners in Greater Manchester and Merseyside and waiting to see what the Government proposes.”

Mr East said the Government needed to support all the authorities who wanted to help.

He said: “It is great to see councils in East Lancashire agreeing to take refugees, but now we need the Government to support those councils with funding because services like health and schools will be affected.

“We have to distinguish between economic migrants and refugees. These people don’t want to leave their own country, but they have to.

“Blackburn with Darwen have already taken its fair share. I want to see it become a town of sanctuary, where refugees are welcome and supported. I would urge the council to put forward a motion to become such a place.”