POOLE Council's response to the desperate plight of Syrian refugees has disappointed a councillor who has proposed the town takes in 10 families a year.

Cllr Mike Brooke, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said other councils had agreed to that, and some Poole residents had offered to take in desperate refugee families.

However Borough of Poole has said while it will "do what we can", it is awaiting further details from government about how refugees will be housed.

"I don't think it's enough," said Cllr Brooke. "Obviously we have a housing shortfall and problem and we need to house our own people. This is a humanitarian crisis."

He said: "We are talking about refugees. People who are fleeing a war having had their homes destroyed, members of their families killed. It's awful to think we can't do something."

Cllr Brooke, who was seeking support for a motion to council calling on the local authority to accept 10 families, then found the Conservatives had come up with their own version, which included no figure.

He said he was aware there was some anti-immigration feeling in Dorset. "Transferring this over to the refugees makes me very uncomfortable."

Cllr Karen Rampton, cabinet portfolio holder for housing and communities, Borough of Poole said: “We have all been moved by the severity of the Syrian refugee crisis. We will do what we can in Poole to support the government’s initiative to accept more refugees, while balancing the needs of local residents who have housing, health and educational requirements."

She said: "At this stage, the council is waiting for further details from the government about how refugees will be housed. The council will work with neighbouring authorities, MPs, MEPs, faith and community groups to make representations to government through the Local Government Association to ensure adequate financial support is made available.

“We would encourage anyone wishing to offer a donation or other assistance to please contact those local or national charities which are already working hard to support refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.”