REFUGEES forced to flee their homes on the volcano-ravaged Caribbean island of Montserrat are to be housed in Blackburn.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has offered homes to 40 refugees following an appeal by the Home Office for accommodation.

The islanders are expected to arrive in the borough before the end of the week. They will be flown into Britain at the expense of the Home Office.

The council is now seeking advice from other authorities who have already provided accommodation to islanders since the volcanic destruction of the island started.

Staff from the council, Lancashire Social Services and the Benefits Agency are to co-ordinate a welcoming committee to ensure the islanders have everything they need to start their new life in East Lancashire. Joint deputy council leader Bill Taylor said: "These refugees are in a desperate plight, having suffered the trauma of losing their home and having to flee their homeland because of this natural disaster.

"We accept our share of Britain's international responsibility for these poor people and hope to make their resituation as humane as possible and welcome them to our borough.

"We will be working with all relevant organisations to help the new arrivals fit into their new surroundings as comfortably as possible. We hope they will receive a typical warm Lancashire reception."

Coun Gail Barton, joint deputy leader, said: "There is a strong Afro-Caribbean presence in the Preston area and we are liaising with community groups and the local authority to help the refugees settle in.

"The council is pleased to have at our disposal properties which are already furnished and are grateful to the many other agencies who have reacted quickly to make sure everything is in place for the newcomers."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.