Hadleigh mayor Frank Minns has pledged to support Suffolk's offer to support an influx of Afghan refugees.

The town will be among a number of areas in Babergh that could be asked to take in Afghan refugees under a Government resettlement scheme, .

Given its proximity to Wattisham Flying Station and the number of former armed forces personnel Cllr Minns believes there would be an appetite in the town to help.

"We have many ex serviceman who served in Afghanistan who I'm sure would like to help these refugees," said Cllr Minns. "Just as many Afghans helped British forces in their country, we should look to do what we can now.

"I'm sure Hadleigh as a town will do what we can to play our part."

Babergh leader John Ward is among a number of group of top councillors in the county that have agreed to support a government initiative, once the details have been clarified.

The county's authorities were briefed by the Government late Wednesday afternoon on the resettlement scheme, which will allow 20,000 Afghans fleeing the Taliban to seek shelter on UK shores.

A spokesman speaking on behalf of all Suffolk councils, said: "On Wednesday 18 August, the Government announced its new resettlement scheme for Afghan refugees. Whilst the full details are yet to be confirmed, it is crystal clear that the Government needs local authorities everywhere to step up and support this national effort.

"All councils in Suffolk are committed to this cause. We have already helped a small number of Afghan interpreters and their families to resettle in Suffolk, in addition to ongoing work to support unaccompanied asylum seeking children and other refugees entering the UK.

"In the coming days and weeks, the district, borough and county councils will continue working with the Government to do what we can to provide assistance to vulnerable refugees.

"Times like this call for acts of humanity. Suffolk will play its part."

The pledge came after the Taliban took control of Kabul earlier this week and government leaders fled the country.

It led to a heated debate in an emergency session in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, in which the US government's decision to withdraw troops was widely criticised.

Among some of the priority refugees seeking shelter are women and girls, translators, and those who supported UK and US forces over the last two decades.

Suffolk Refugee Support said it is continuing to work with its clients who have loved ones caught up in the crisis.

"Already we are hearing from Afghan refugees in Suffolk that family members have been killed back home," the organisation said in a statement on its website.

*Would you like to help Afghan refugees and what could you offer? Contact: [email protected]