FRESH arrivals from war-torn Syria are set to be allocated new homes in Burnley and Pendle next year, it has been confirmed.

Councillors in Burnley will meet next month to decide on how many families the borough will provide a safe haven for in 2017 and beyond.

And town hall bosses in Pendle have reaffirmed their commitment to taking in 10 fresh families, as part of the Syria Resettlement Programme.

Pendle has already welcomed 10 small families, following the government’s commitment to find places for 20,000 people by 2020.

Cllr Mark Townsend, leader of Burnley Council, said: “We have already made a commitment that the town will play its proper part in helping resettle refugees, and will do so as part of a co-ordinated approach across Lancashire.

“This will be done in a systematic way, including by ensuring that all proper support arrangements are put in place with government support.

“The council’s executive will consider a report next month about the details of how we participate in the Lancashire-wide programme.

“The report proposal will be that Burnley resettles a number of Syrian refugee families over the next few years, in line with the average number being resettled across the county.”

Other boroughs including Preston, Blackpool and South Ribble have pledged to take in either five or 10 families.

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, leader of Pendle Council, saw proposals to take in 10 additional families approved by the borough’s executive on Thursday night.

He said: “We pledged our commitment to the Government to re-house up to 20 families from war-torn Syria a year ago.

“We have fulfilled half of that pledge thanks to good partnership working and a package of support for the families who came to Pendle in the autumn.

“I’m relieved we are now in a position to complete our commitment and offer 10 more families a safe place to live.

“Our plan is to bring 10 empty homes back into use to accommodate them. We are helping to co-ordinate efforts, but we do not incur any costs to rehouse the families.”

Help has been given to the autumn arrivals to enrol children in local schools and enlist parents on English courses.

Church leaders in the Blackburn Diocese and voluntary groups have already been on the frontline, making arrangements to welcome the conflict-hit families.

Under the banner of Together Lancashire, they have produced an online web guide, Welcome The Stranger, which was triggered by the migrant crises of the past two years.

Inside it not only gives some facts and figures on refugees and asylum seekers but provides signposts for housing, education, health and care agencies and county support groups.

Burnley-based housing specialist Calico has been commissioned to provide social support for Pendle’s new arrivals.

Rev Ed Saville, the diocesan lead officer for social responsibility, said: “We have also offered, if it is required, to provide a mentoring service, alongside what Calico is providing.”

Burnley has previously seen a number of asylum seekers dispersed to the borough, under the national programme overseen by Serco.

Other Lancashire authorities like Ribble Valley and Hyndburn have also pledged to take in refugee families, Ribble Valley drew up plans to make five homes available in Clitheroe and another five in Longridge.