FAMILIES in a borough are already volunteering to sponsor people fleeing the war in Ukraine, it has been revealed.

The leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council Councillor Mohammed Khan said five had already come forward to help refugees under the government's sponsorship scheme.

He called on the government to give clear guidance to people and local authorities about how the system to sponsor and support Ukrainian refugees and their families will work.

He told Thursday's Council Forum: "We have been shocked by the horrific scenes in the Ukraine.

"This war which is causing a substantial amount of chaos in the country.

"Innocent people are getting killed. Innocent people are injured.

"Our residents and businesses are very kind. They are open-handed.

"They are saying to people who come here, they will take care of them.

"I think so far five families have put in a request saying they will sponsor Ukrainian families.

"I think the process is very difficult.

"That is why our officers internally need to make clear how we are going to check families and housing conditions etc.

"All in all we are fully committed as a local authority to make sure that we do what we can do - as we have in many times in the past for many different parts of the world.

"I will write to request the government to please make sure the system is clear about what we are doing to do, how people are going to apply for it, how it is going to be funded.

"We are looking at places in school, about GPs and a number of other things which really people need.

"They will need a great deal of support. These people will come with the trauma of war and with mental health needs.

"We are willing to work with central government to make sure these people have the help and whatever else they need.

"We are prepared but we need to have a government that will give us clear direction about the procedures and the process so that we can carry through the job."

Cllr John Slater, leader of the opposition Conservative group, praised the response of the people of the borough to the Ukrainian refugee crisis highlighting the trip to Poland with essential supplies by Ewood ward's Cllr Jon Baldwin.

He also praised the residents, including schoolchildren, who had gathered and packed items for this and other aid missions.

Cllr Slater said: "It shows once again the strength of felling in this borough and how we come together and work when people are in need."