A PASSIONATE Worcester campaigner has made a heartfelt plea for council chiefs to help Syrian refugees - saying the city must "show its humanity".

Sam Hale, from the Worcester Refugee Relief Network, turned up at a city council meeting last night fighting back tears to call for action.

Her desperate plea came on the same night an important motion was passed asking the council's managing director Sheena Ramsey to get involved in the current talks over a Home Office bid to resettle some refugees in the county.

As your Worcester News revealed last week, Worcestershire's council leaders say they want the Government to offer funding for a "full" five years to house some Syrians - something which is still being ironed out.

Ms Hale, who is leading the efforts on Facebook, told them: "As a group we're slightly concerned that there seems to be a reluctance due to the funding.

"We understand that, but if the council can accommodate these people we will feed and clothe them.

"In this country we've had two world wars but people made do, we pulled together.

"It feels like we're just looking in at the situation, which is a real shame - this is a humanitarian crisis and we need to show humanity."

Fighting back tears, she added: "These people aren't coming here for benefits, they are doctors, teachers, they are just like us. "Please give them the chance, I know it's about money but it doesn't have to be.

"Don't look at it that you need Government funds for five years, you don't - they just need a couple of years to get on their feet."

Later in the evening the council united to agree a motion asking Ms Ramsey to get involved in the current cross-authority talks.

It calls upon her to "work with colleagues to produce a joint plan" so the city is "ready and welcome" to support refugees who are expected to arrive.

Leader Councillor Simon Geraghty also appeared to clarify his stance on the funding, insisting the county's leading decision-makers wanted cash for "up to five years".

He called for all politicians to go forward with a united voice, saying: "All the council leaders are clear that we intend to apply to the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme, but we are being clear to the Government in that we want proper funding for up to five years," he said.

"We know some people coming here will have seen some appalling scenes and they will need statutory support."

Labour group leader Councillor Adrian Gregson said: "The scale of the problem is so huge, we have to act."

The debate led to agreement all round, with deputy leader Councillor Marc Bayliss calling the situation "horrific and appalling".

"Nobody could fail to be moved by the scenes of the young boy washed up on the beach in Turkey," he said.

Prime Minister David Cameron said last month how Britain would accept 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020 under a beefed up relocation scheme.

A minister as been appointed, Richard Harrington MP, to iron out funding details for local authorities.