UP to 50 Syrian refugees will be relocated across Worcestershire this year.

The development follows a decision last year to resettle 50 refugees across Redditch, Wyre Forest and Worcester in 2016/17.

This new commitment 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 Thursday February 1.

In a joint statement, council leaders said: "Our first two families arrived 18 months ago and since then we have provided refuge to 14 families previously living in camps in countries neighbouring Syria.

"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."

The Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme was expanded by Government in 2015 and pledged to resettle 20,000 refugees in in the UK by 2020.

Families will continue to be housed within the private rented sector, to minimise the impact on social housing supply and other vulnerable groups, with the first of the new arrivals not expected until the autumn.