A change in Pembrokeshire County Council's refugee policy, which will make it easier for community groups to re-house families from war-torn Syria, has been welcomed by community campaigners.

At last Monday's cabinet meeting members discussed the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme. The nationwide scheme will eventually see between ten and 12 Syrian families settled in Pembrokeshire.

Local groups have also expressed an interest in the Home Office's community sponsorship scheme, with Hiraeth Hope/ Croeso Abergwaun hoping to welcome three families to north Pembrokeshire.

Originally, proposed council policy would have meant that this would not have been possible until the council's settlement scheme was in place.

However, on Monday a recommendation of the head of housing was amended by cabinet, allowing community sponsorship schemes to run in tandem with the council's scheme.

Council leader Jamie Adams said that cabinet needed to recognise the complexities of establishing an effective support scheme for the refugees. However, he also wanted to make it clear that there was "appetite and ambition" from the caring communities in Pembrokeshire

"That is fairly unique in Wales," he said.

"There are very few authorities which have community groups putting their hands up for the settlement of refugees.

"As an authority it is incumbent upon us to take the initiative and support it in any way that we can but we have to be very careful that we get things in the right order.

"What we don't want to do is stifle that appetite to turn away that heartfelt offer that is being made by these groups."

Simon Hancock said that there was "remarkable generosity and organisational ability" in the community sponsorship groups.

"I don't want this council to be seen at all in lagging in respect one of the most important humanitarian issues facing western society," he said.

"We must do everything in our power to assist and facilitate these groups. There is considerable strength and depth in these communities, they are very well organised. This council will be judged on its actions not just on its warm words."

Vicky Moller, on behalf of Hiraeth Hope said: "Pembrokeshire County Council has removed the block to community settlement. They now want to go forward to enable some settlement in Pembrokeshire, working with us.

"All the people we had contacted before the meeting spoke with incredible passion about the importance of this. I was moved and astonished.

"There were 15 items on the agenda that morning. This was the only one where they changed the words in response to outside passion."