A PETERSFIELD refugee support group says it is keen to help find homes for refugee children now the government says thousands of them can come to the UK.

The Rural Refugee Network (RRN) was launched last year by concerned people living in and around Petersfield – this year it has helped three refugee families move here.

After the government U-turn, which will see the UK accept unaccompanied refugee children now in Europe, RNN says it is keen to help find them homes here.

The group was part of the campaign to overturn the earlier ruling that Britain wouldn’t accept more unaccompanied refugee children.

RRN spokesman Julia Thistleton-Smith, from Langrish, said: “The families we helped settle here are very happy and making progress.

“But from the outset we wanted to help the children.

“Helping them find homes here is very much in line with what we originally set out to do.”

RNN worked very closely with Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council to home the three Syrian families.

Julia said; “We haven’t spoken yet to either council about what can be done here for the children. But we will as soon as possible.”

Any unaccompanied child refugee registered in Greece, Italy or France before March 20 is eligible to be homed.

Most arriving in Europe are from Afghanistan and Syria, and are fleeing war, violence and persecution.

The government will work with Save the Children to decide who to take – are they at risk of exploitation or abuse, will be one of the criteria.

It is unclear how many will come to East Hampshire, but, by the end of 2015, almost 90,000 child refugees were registered in the EU.

One estimate for the UK is 3,000; this could work out at about 20 per local authority.

At about £50,000 a year to provide each with foster care, there are concerns about who will foot the bill.

An East Hampshire District?Council spokesman said: “We are very keen to find out more about the government’s commitment to take unaccompanied Syrian refugee children from Europe into the UK.

“When the details are clear, EHDC and other local authorities will be looking closely at them to find out how we can help.”