SYRIAN families fleeing their war-torn country will be offered refuge in the area after councillors said Cumbria must play its part in the national scheme.

The resettlement programme has already begun in other parts of the UK but the devastation caused by Storm Desmond meant Cumbria could not contribute until now.

Barrow Borough Council's executive committee met on Wednesday to discuss their response to Cumbria County Council's plan to take 225 refugees over a three-year period.

Committee chairman, Councillor Dave Pidduck, said: "We have a long history and a proud history of incorporating minority groups into the borough and in the past we have made a strong contribution."

The committee voted unanimously to help accommodate a total of 30 vulnerable immigrants in to the borough over the next three years - a figure based on the proportion of the population in the area.

Key information such as where the families will live, who will provide their support and where the funds will come from has yet to be decided.

Cllr Pidduck added: "We are part of the Cumbria deal but our concern is that we want people to arrive here and for it to run smoothly.

"The last thing we need is for people to leave those horrors and arrive in a different country where no-one is there and they have no home.

"Until we have the details and not just a sketchy outline no decisions will be finalised, but we do want to play our part."

Another member calling for absolute clarity in terms of the fine details was Councillor Kevin Hamilton.

He said: "This isn't a game of political football, these are war refugees.

"The more everyone turns on their telly they see those poor people.

"We've a very proud background here in welcoming people, we are full of migrants."

The latest UK figures suggest 2,800 Syrians have arrived so far but home secretary Amber Rudd said the country was on track to deliver its promise to resettle 20,000 over the next four years.

Cumbria will be home to 225 Syrians by 2020, 50 of which would come from the Vulnerable Children Programme.

According to the Home Office, a total of £10m has also been pledged for language tuition to help refugees integrate.