A SCHOOLGIRL'S plea for Ringwood to accept at least one Syrian refugee family, has led to the council reconsidering their decision.

Talks will take place at a meeting of Ringwood Town Council's policy and finance committee on Wednesday over the decision made in October 2015 not to take any further action over the issue.

However, at their last meeting of 2016, members were addressed by Ringwood sixth former, Elvie Karkera, who urged the council to overturn the decision and accept at least one Syrian family into the community.

An online petition on the matter has been supported by more than 720 people.

A report to the council says there are currently 15 families in Hampshire, including one in Lymington.

And the deputy town clerk, Jo Hurd, has already spoken to officers at Hampshire County Council and New Forest District Council over the arrangements.

The report said: "The main barrier to bringing more refugee families into the county is the lack of available accommodation, with the rent being at or below the Local Housing Allowance rate."

Red Cross volunteers are introduced for support, along with people from the community to help with integration.

This is often in the form of befriending or buddy systems, and help in furnishing and equipping the property.

The report adds: "Until appropriate accommodation becomes available in the town, it will not be possible for Ringwood to host a refugee family through the government's resettlement programme."

It recommends that if members are minded to support a Syrian family living in the town, they assist New Forest council in finding a suitable property to rent.