Up to two families of refugees from Afghanistan will be given a place to live by Vale of Glamorgan council.

The refugees will be resettled as part of the government's Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy.

No families have arrived yet in the Vale of Glamorgan but the council is discussing with local landlords and hopes to provide accommodation "shortly".

Many refugees are expected to flee Afghanistan after the Taliban took back control of Kabul earlier this month.

Council leader Neil Moore said: "The Vale of Glamorgan council shares the international community's shock at the devastation caused by the fall of the Afghan government.

"We have a very proud history of supporting those in need of our help, through our participation in both the former Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme and the current UK Resettlement Scheme.

"We intend to work closely with the UK Government in the weeks ahead to provide accommodation and support arrangements for the most vulnerable Afghan people and we look forward to welcoming them into our communities.

"We're exploring all options for support, including reaching out to the private landlords we've worked closely with over the past few years across other refugee schemes. I would also ask any other Rent Smart-accredited landlords with a three or four-bedroom home that may be available for this purpose to contact the council."

The British military was this week evacuating refugees from Kabul Airport, including translators who worked with UK forces. On Thursday, August 26, a suicide bomb and gun attack killed at least 72 Afghan civilians and 13 US troops, according to newspaper reports.

Cllr Moore said he was "overwhelmed" by messages asking the council to support the refugee effort, with some offering to accommodate refugees. He added the council was doing "everything possible" to support those who need help.

He said: "We have a responsibility to make sure people are suitably housed in affordable accommodation. People will understand that this is a complex operation and, in making these decisions, we are mindful of the need to minimise the impact on communities while, at the same time, ensuring people have access to services like health, education and integration support.

"I've been overwhelmed by the messages we've already received from members of our community that want their local authority to do as much as possible to support this humanitarian cause. Some have even made offers of accommodation. Our communities have been welcoming refugees for the last five years and have been enriched by the experience.

"Finally, I would like to express sincere sympathy to the members of our communities with friends and families in Afghanistan and the families of the forces involved in that and other conflicts. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time and we join the international community in wishing for their safe return.

"We have all been struck by the speed and scale of this humanitarian crisis and I would like to give my assurance that the council is doing everything possible to offer sanctuary to those who need it, particularly the brave men and women who've sacrificed so much to support our Armed Forces in the area."