RESIDENTS are calling on Ringwood Town Council to welcome Syrian refugees.

A petition has been started, on behalf of Hampshire west residents, to get the town to open their homes to people fleeing violence in the Middle East.

The move comes after the nationwide media frenzy of published images of a toddler – now known as Aylan – who drowned while trying to escape with his family.

The images triggered a massive public outcry for the government to do more to help asylum-seeking families.

It is one of hundreds of petitions that have already been set up across the country by members of the campaign group 38 Degrees.

Megan Bentall, a campaigner at 38 Degrees, said: “This public outcry should send a clear message to MPs and councillors that more needs to be done to help the desperate men, women and children escaping violence in Syria. This petition should be a wake-up call to local politicians.

“Britain has a long tradition of helping people fleeing war: it’s part of what makes us a civilised country. And 38 Degrees members have a strong record of standing up for a Britain we can all be proud to live in.

“People in hampshire will be adding their voices to calls from thousands of people across the country to say that enough is enough. Too many people have drowned just trying to reach safety. Politicians need to step up before thousands more people die.”