A NEW group of Syrian refugees have arrived in Clydebank to start a new life free from war and suffering.

The exact number would not be confirmed by council officials who held a public meeting with residents in the town to provide more information. Housing officers have also spoken to neighbours about the new arrivals.

Last year, 49 refugees became Bankies and have been integrating into the community with some already joining in with their local tenants and residents associations.

Centres such as Carlisle, Liverpool, Manchester, Reading, York, Cardiff and Newport failed to take a single refugee last year.

Millions of Syrians have been displaced by the enduring civil war and attacks by so-called Isis, the Russians, Turkey, the UK and others.

A spokesman for the council said: "The council is preparing to welcome a small number of Syrian refugee families to the area as part of the UK and Scottish Government action to support the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

"The Syrian families arriving in the area have fled from war and persecution and should be afforded space and privacy to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings.”