CAMPAIGNERS who want to help refugees fleeing war-torn countries plan to buy a house in Bournemouth for affected families.

Members of the Safe Haven initiative met at the Wimborne Methodist Church for the first time on Saturday, April 23, and it was decided that funds will be raised to buy the property.

Pastor Robert Jones said those who invest their money will do so for a term of five years, after which the property will be sold and the money - plus any profit - will be returned.

"This is an ethical investment model, not a charity model," he said.

"One of the issues, particularly with refugee schemes, is that there is concern that it will take housing away from local people on the housing list.

"That means there's a need to come up with alternative sources of property."

Rev Jones said the now-dissolved Wimborne Refugee Trust previously provided homes for refugee families who fled their homes during the Vietnam War.

"Wimborne is a remote location in some ways, particularly when considering things like support services, so we are looking to find somewhere in the conurbation and probably in Bournemouth," he said.

Safe Haven members heard during the meeting that the government has committed to paying housing costs for resettled refugees, with local authorities receiving £8,000 per person to offset health and education costs.

So far, Wiltshire has settled 10 families under the scheme.

Dorset has not yet joined.

Rev Jones said: "As an organisation, we'd say that we have two goals.

"The first is to encourage councils to welcome refugees by assuring them that there is public concern and support for this.

"The second is to provide property with the help of support networks already in place."

He said organisations including Bournemouth's International Care Network are already supporting asylum seekers in the town.

"Our members are already involved in schemes that benefit their community, from food banks to the Citizens Advice Bureau," he said.

"I believe there is public support out there. I've heard that 60 householders in Swanage have offered their spare rooms for those in need.

"People do care."

To get involved with Safe Haven, or for more information, email safehavenbh999@gmail.com