WINCHESTER City Council leader Stephen Godfrey is encouraging local people to open their homes to help the Syrian refugees.

He spoke as thousands flee their home nation gripped by civil war.

Cllr Godfrey said: “Winchester has a proud track-record of helping people in need – the Zimbabwe refugee crisis is one example.

“We are waiting to hear what Government is asking of local authorities, but we are already gearing up to work with colleagues at Hampshire County Council, registered housing providers and private landlords.”

He said the council’s housing team is looking at how refugees will be housed, including keeping some properties that are scheduled for sale or launching a new scheme to encourage home-owners with spare rooms to take in lodgers or tenants."

Cllr Lucille Thompson, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, told Cabinet on Wednesday: "These are really desperate people and they need our help now.

"Winchester ... is an extraordinarily generous city and district, and there are lots of organisations within that district - churches, charities and individuals - who are really desperate to do something, but they don't know where to direct their efforts.

"What I am asking the council to do is, in particular, designate an officer to work with all those organisations and health service, other councils, community groups etc, so that the support can be coordinated and so that people can really know where they nature to.

"I know a number of individuals who are keen to have rooms let out on their house, make rooms available in their house, for refugees when they arrive."

Cllr Godfrey said officers are working hard but the government has yet to tell the city what it needs to do.

Housing chief Cllr Caroline Horrill reassured residents that the crisis will not jeopardise their places on waiting lists.

On the streets of Winchester, people supported Cllr Godfrey's stance.

James Toll, 28, a violinist from Sparkford Road in Winchester, said: “My life is quite chaotic at the moment so it might be a problem for us to house a refugee, but I am open to the idea, we think it is a good scheme and hope people can take it up.”

Edward Goodman, 30, a High Street market trader, said: “To be honest I would not be able to house anyone because I have a young daughter, if I had the space it would be a consideration for me and my wife, but we don’t know if we would.

“I feel very sorry for the Syrians especially the vulnerable ones, it is hard because the story is so media-led and that makes it hard to get a true picture of what is happening.”

Leif Ralph, 27, a restaurant manager from Fulflood in Winchester, said: “I would probably not open my home to them because of the culture change. I think it is a good scheme, but I do not know if living here is the best option for them.”