A COUNCIL is offering to take refugee families fleeing Syria.

Durham County Council has announced proposals to accept “refugees, with a focus on family groups” for the next five years.

However, no numbers have been announced.

The Government is committed to accepting an extra 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020.

Durham Humanitarian Support Partnership, which is led by the council, would review its work 12 months after the first refugees arrived to assess its success.

Cabinet member Eddie Tomlinson said the council had received a number of offers of accommodation, clothing, toiletries and bedding, which were heartening.

A strategy will be put before the council’s cabinet on Wednesday, December 16.

Cllr Tomlinson said: “The proposals being put before cabinet set out the level of support which the partnership feels can be offered in County Durham.

“They recognise that we do not have significant experience in relocating vulnerable refugees in the area and take into account our currently ability to support and accommodate people.”