TEN Syrian families of refugees are to be given a warm welcome by people across the Test Valley.

As part of the Government’s plans to allow 20,000 Syrian refugees to stay in this country, two homes per year in Test Valley Borough Council for the next five years would be allocated.

Those who are in the most dire of circumstances in the war-torn country, women and children at risk, people in severe need of medical care and survivors of torture and violence, will be given priority.

Ian Carr, leader of the Tory-run council, said the intention was that other households on the social housing register will not lose their place because of them.

Civic chiefs at Test Valley Borough Council had three options available, do nothing; await further detail and information before making a decision; or make a “pledge of support and participate in the scheme”.

Officers recommended that the cabinet allows two properties per year for the next five years to be set aside for the scheme, which has been approved.

The scheme was backed by Rev Andrew Ashdown, from North Baddesley, who was in Syria on a peace mission, before Christmas.

But he also called for more to be done to help families caught up in the crisis.

He said: “I think it’s a good initiative, but I don’t think it goes far enough, but that’s not a criticism of the council, that’s because of the Government.

“In itself it’s a small but positive response. We as a community need to be recognising and placing our part.”

He added that refugee crisis was “something we can’t ignore”.

“Most of them want to go back to their homes, to a safe Syria. That’s not a realistic prospect at the moment,” he said.

“I think the vast majority will want to contribute to the community.

He said: “Some of the communities in the area are ready including some of the Syrian residents already here. They engaging with them and meeting these refugees to help them around the British community.”

Cllr Carr admitted that it was not an “earth-shattering number”.

He said: “I have been talking a long time about what we can do in the crisis. When you look at it, it’s not very much but we don’t have any more facilities that we can offer, it’s the best we can do.”

Already Southampton City Council has pledged to assist 25 households over five years, Winchester was due to house one refugee family before Christmas and are committed to housing four more.

Basingstoke, Hart, Eastleigh and Fareham councils have made pledges to assist households containing people over 55 years old while councillors in the New Forest are yet to decide.

Portsmouth, Gosport and Rushmoor councils will not be providing any assistance to Syrian refugees.