PLANS are underway for two families of refugees fleeing the Syrian war to be resettled in Kidderminster.

Council bosses are liaising with the Home Office to arrange for the families to arrive in two properties in mid-July, with a further two set for Redditch.

The news comes after Worcestershire County Council announced in January that they will resettle 50 refugees in 2016 as part of the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement scheme.

Private sector landlords will also be approached to identify properties suitable for the resettlement of further families in order to meet the council’s commitment.

Three other families comprising of eight refugees – two of which will be housed in the same property – will arrive in Redditch at the end of June, becoming the first refugees resettled in the county.

Councillor Lucy Hodgson, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Localism and Communities said: "We are all aware of the terrible suffering that is being caused by the war in Syria, and we are very proud that Worcestershire will house some of the most vulnerable people affected by this conflict.

"It has always been vital that we ensure the right infrastructure and support networks are in place to fully support arriving refugees and help every individual settle into their new community.

"This has only been made possible thanks to the superb work of everybody involved.

"We are grateful for the hard work of our council staff, our partner organisations, including local housing authorities and the Home Office, and for the fantastic response we have received from the great number of volunteer groups across the county who have offered their support."

Independent charity, Refugee Action, will deliver a Refugee Integration and Independence Service for Worcestershire, to support the resettlement of families.

The scheme is funded from the Foreign Aid budget with further resources invested into the local NHS and education to ensure that impact on services for local residents is minimised.

A spokesperson from Refugee Action said: "Refugee Action is delighted to be working with our partners to welcome Syrian refugees across the county over the coming months.

"Building on over 30 years’ experience of resettlement, our dedicated staff and volunteers look forward to working closely with our partners to ensure these individuals and families, who have faced unimaginable horrors, are enabled to rebuild their lives in dignity."

The council are appealing for private landlords to offer properties suitable for the housing of refugees in other districts.