THURROCK Council is calling on private landlords in the borough to help it settle refugees from Afghanistan in the area.

News of the council's willingness to engage in the resettlement process emerged last month and at a cabinet meeting at the beginning of September further details were released by leading councillor Shane Hebb of the progress made.

Now the council is calling on local property owners to engage too, saying as part of the Government's Afghan citizens' resettlement scheme, the council is working to identify suitable properties for families who have fled Afghanistan.

Cabinet member for housing, Cllr Luke Spillman, says: "In Thurrock we have a proud history of helping those who are vulnerable and in need. I'm strongly in support of working with the Government to help provide homes for families who have had to leave their homeland of Afghanistan to escape persecution or death.

"Council housing will always be prioritised for qualifying local residents on our existing housing waiting list, but what we can do is work with local landlords to identify suitable additional properties which could be used to home Afghan families.

"If you are someone who has a private rental property available in Thurrock, I'm calling on you to please get in touch with the council's housing team. They will work with you to identify if this property would be suitable to provide a safe and secure Government funded home to an Afghan family. We have so far managed to identify one suitable family home in the borough.

"There is also an opportunity to help those who are arriving from Afghanistan by donating through Giving for Thurrock."

Giving for Thurrock is a charitable fund set up by the council and Thurrock CVS to support organisations, community groups, sports clubs, dance troupes, gardening initiatives among many other good causes through donations supplied by residents and businesses in the borough.