COUNCIL leaders across Worcestershire have agreed to relocate more Syrian refugees across the county.

Leaders including Redditch's Bill Hartnett have agreed to host up to 50 Syrian refugees in Worcestershire.

The aim is to resettle refugee families in different areas of the county - but it not known where that could be.

50 refugees were resettled across Redditch, Wyre Forest and Worcester in 2016/17.

The move will bring the total number of refugees resettled under the Government's Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme in Worcestershire up to 100.

It follows a decision by the leaders of Worcestershire County, Bromsgrove District, Malvern Hills District, Redditch Borough, Worcester City, Wychavon District and Wyre Forest District Councils at a meeting on February 1.

Margaret Evans, co-chairman of Bromsgrove and Redditch Welcome Refugees (BRWR), said she was "delighted" with the decision.

"It's not yet clear whether Bromsgrove or Redditch will be home to some of these families, but we're ready to support them with integrating into life here, as we have for those already in Redditch," she said.

"Whilst welcoming a further 50 refugees across the county is a small fraction of the millions of people displaced by Syria's conflict, it's clearly a positive step by Worcestershire to play its part."

She added: "Since arriving in 2016, the five Syrian families living in Redditch have settled in well; volunteering, studying, working and making new friendships."

A joint statement from council leaders said: "Families identified under the government’s scheme are some of the most vulnerable people affected by the conflict. This includes women and children at risk and survivors of torture and violence and we are proud to continue to play our part in housing those families that have been affected by the Syrian conflict.

"Government funding has enabled us to ensure we have the right infrastructure in place to support arriving refugees.

"We are also grateful to the support provided by volunteer groups across the county who are helping families to become independent and self-reliant and be happy in their new lives in Worcestershire."