More than 800 people have signed a petition calling for refugees to be given homes in the county.

The online lobby requests that Hertfordshire County Council offer to house 50 refugees, and is part of a nationwide campaign demands that the Government do more to help migrants.

A statement accompanying the petition reads: “The council must help create a viable plan, identify any extra resources needed and work with the Home Office to provide these resources.

"We don't want Britain to be the kind of country that turns its back as people drown in their desperation to flee places like Syria.

"The government's Relocation Scheme will give money to local councils to welcome Syrian refugees in their area. We just have to get organised and ask for it."

Robert Gordon, leader of the county council, said the council would continue to play its full part alongside the county's housing authorities and other local public services to support Syrian refugees choosing to settle locally.

He added: “We welcome the Government's promise to meet our additional costs from its Overseas Aid budget.”

To view the petition, visit: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/refugees-welcome-in-hertfordshire-4