North Ayrshire now looks set to welcome five families fleeing Afghanistan for their own safety after the recent takeover by the Taliban.

Refuge will be offered to help an extra three families of staff who worked for the UK military, mostly as interpreters in the country after council chiefs agreed to welcome two earlier in the year.

Councillors are expected to agree the plans at cabinet next week [Tuesday, August 31].

Meeting papers state: "Two properties in Irvine have been identified and are currently being made ready to welcome the families at the beginning of September.

"Over recent days the severity of the situation in Afghanistan has escalated very quickly and the Home Office and Ministry of Defence are now working to get those entitled to a safe home in the UK out of the country as soon as possible.

"In addition, the UK Government has now announced a new refugee resettlement scheme that will see 20,000 Afghan refugees being relocated to the UK over the coming years.

"Local authorities in Scotland will be required to consider the role that they are able to play in supporting this new scheme.

"It is recommended that the Council increases their pledge to resettle more Afghan LES staff and their families as a matter of urgency, providing that suitable accommodation can be made available."