WARRINGTON has offered to rehouse around 30 refugees fleeing Afghanistan.

This is according to Professor Steven Broomhead, chief executive at Warrington Borough Council and Warrington South MP Andy Carter.

The Government says the UK will take up to 20,000 Afghan refugees fleeing the country after the Taliban seized power.

As many as 5,000 could arrive in the country in the first year, with priority being given to women and girls, and religious and other minorities, who are most at risk of human rights abuses and dehumanising treatment by the Taliban.

The Home Office has claimed it will be ‘one of the most generous’ resettlement schemes in the UK’s history.

Warrington Borough Council has offered to rehouse 30 refugees immediately, expected to be from around three families fleeing the Afghan regime.

Some could be placed in temporary accommodation in the Peace Centre in Great Sankey.

Mr Broomhead said: “We are expecting an announcement from the Government about resettling Afghan refugees.

“We are prepared to respond, and to do all we can, to provide appropriate support once we have further information.”

Warrington South MP Mr Carter added: ““Our immediate priority must be to repatriate British nationals and locally employed staff under serious threat to life. 5,000 former Afghan staff and family members are expected to be relocated to the UK by the end of the year.

“A new resettlement scheme will prioritise women and girls and others most at risk.

“I have spoken to the borough council and liaised with ministers in the Home Office to what role Warrington can play in supporting the repatriation effort with a number of locations being considered in the town as potential sites to host refugees who have lost everything, including the Peace Centre who have around 30 beds available immediately.

“There also needs to be a concerted diplomatic effort to co-ordinate the international response.

“That includes holding the Taliban to account on terrorism, human rights, and protecting the gains for women, girls, and minorities as far as possible.

“And 20 years after the attacks on the Twin Towers, we must also maintain an unwavering commitment to protecting our borders, keeping at bay anyone who may pose a threat to our safety .”