BLACKBURN with Darwen, Hyndburn and Burnley are to accept refugees fleeing the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan their council leaders have confirmed.

Cllrs Mohammed Khan, Miles Parkinson and Afrasiab Anwar said the three boroughs were ready to provide safe havens for asylum seekers who worked alongside British forces in the war-torn country as part of a government scheme to rehouse them across the UK.

Blackburn Labour MP Kate Hollern and her Ribble Valley Tory Parliamentary colleague Nigel Evans have urged East Lancashire to play its part in resettling Afghans fleeing possible retribution.

Already Lancaster, Wyre, South Ribble and West Lancashire councils have agreed to take 30 families between them.

On Thursday Pendle Council's policy committee will debate a call from Labour opposition leader Cllr Mohammed Iqbal to accommodate 20 Afghan families.

Blackburn with Darwen has a long-standing agreement with the Home Office to house refugees.

Cllr Khan said: “It is heart-breaking to see the devastating events in Afghanistan.

“Blackburn with Darwen is a welcoming borough and has a long, proud history over more than two decades of settling refugees in desperate situations from around the world. We have always played our part and will continue to do so."

Cllr Parkinson said: “Hyndburn will share the responsibility in this time of crisis and play our part.”

Cllr Anwar said: "We have previously played our part in similar programmes and last year Burnley provided sanctuary for Afghans who had supported British efforts.

"We will continue contributing to the national programme by providing sanctuary for those who supported our efforts in Afghanistan."

Mrs Hollern said: "The UK government must share some of the responsibility for allowing the Taliban to once again take control of Afghanistan so it is only right that this country accepts its share of refugees.

"In Blackburn with have a long record of welcoming those seeking refuge - including from Afghanistan - so I would expect we will once again provide protection to those in need."

Mr Evans said:“Clearly this is an incredibly distressing time. I believe that every local authority should do their part to help. I know the government are in discussions with councils about this very issue”.

Cllr Peter Buckley, Lancashire County Council's community boss, said: "The authority has agreed to co-ordinate the county's response.

"Councils across Lancashire have been asked to make a pledge about the number of families they can help, and so far confirmation has been received from Lancaster, Wyre, South Ribble and West Lancashire. Between them they will house 30 families."