The council has said it has been received an 'outpouring of support' from people and communities across Dorset looking to help refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

A spokesman for Dorset Council said: "Together with local residents and voluntary and community groups, we are preparing to offer a warm welcome to Ukrainian refugees fleeing from the horrors of war. Dorset has a proud history of welcoming new arrivals at times of crisis, offering homes and support so families and individuals can build new lives here.

"Many refugees expected to come to Dorset will arrive on a family visa (coming to live with family who are already resident in Dorset). The remaining refugees will be welcomed into our communities through residents offering accommodation through the Government's Sponsorship Scheme – known as ‘Homes for Ukraine’.

"Officers from Dorset Council are working closely alongside colleagues from BCP Council, local voluntary and community organisations, and the Dorset Race Equality Council to ensure our response and activity to support refugees is well coordinated. We need to consider both the immediate needs and the longer-term requirements.

"We will focus on ensuring refugees feel safe and have access to the services they may need such as healthcare and schools. We have not yet received confirmation from government, but we anticipate that the council will play a role in safeguarding by carrying out home assessments on the offers of accommodation.

"Dorset is also home to a number of Afghan and Syrian refugees/families who have fled their homelands because of war and persecution. We continue to seek offers of self-contained accommodation from compassionate landlords in Dorset to help find more permanent homes for these refugees."