Two North Ayrshire homes will be made available for people from Afghanistan who need to flee the country for their own safety.

Refuge will be offered to help staff who worked for the UK military, mostly as interpreters in the country.

Due to the demand for homes in the area, the council has decided to take in two households at the most.

The refugees are in potential danger from the Taliban if they can’t escape Afghanistan.

Councillors voted to participate in the Afghan Relocation Scheme at a council cabinet meeting on June 29.

Yvonne Baulk, Head of Service, Physical Environment, said: “We undertook a similar scheme in 2015 where six families were relocated and four are still living in the area and have been able to find employment.

“It was a really successful piece of work.”

International troops are preparing to leave Afghanistan so there are fears those who helped the UK forces could face reprisals.

The political situation in Afghanistan has become increasingly volatile in

recent months and the United States has indicated that

its armed forces will fully withdraw by September 2021.

This means that locally engaged staff (LES) are increasingly vulnerable to attacks from the Taliban.

The UK Government has therefore taken the decision to accelerate their plans so that as many LES as

possible can be evacuated by summer 2021. Early indications are that up to 6,000 Afghan nationals will be looking to relocate to the UK.

A council report said: “It is recommended that the council participates in this voluntary scheme and offers to relocate two Afghan LES and their families before the end of September 2021, providing that suitable accommodation can be made available.”

The Home Office provides funding to councils that welcome Afghan arrivals to support the costs of resettlement.

The local authority is responsible for providing a four-month integration package which includes:

• Reception arrangements upon arrival at the airport including handover from flight escorts and welcome briefing;

• Accommodation;

• A package of advice and assistance covering employment, welfare benefits, housing, health, education and utility supply;

• Registration with GPs and local Job Centre Plus, including receipt of a National Insurance Number;

• Assistance in securing school places for school-aged children.

It is understood the families will be leaving in the coming months.