PRESSURES on Bracknell's infrastructure mean the borough can only accept a 'small number' of refugees escaping the crisis in Syria and the Middle East. 

Exact numbers remain unknown, but Cllr Paul Bettison, leader of Bracknell Forest Council, says they are willing to offer support to refugee families and that the council is "actively engaged" with other local authorities to develop resettlement option for refugees. 

However, the limited housing available and pressure on issues such as school places will restrict the numbers the borough can manage to accommodate. 

Cllr Bettison said: "The position both nationally and locally is developing on a week by week basis. At the outset of the crisis, the council gave the Government an indication that we would accommodate a small number of refugees if asked.

"Central Government is looking to widen the co-ordination of refugee placement and Bracknell Forest is actively engaged with other Berkshire local authorities in developing the support and resettlement options for Syrian refugees."

The council agreed to the principle of offering assistance to refugees last year.

The government are committed to accepting 20,000 refugees by 2020 but only from UN-run camps on the Syrian border in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey under the vulnerable persons resettlement programme.

So far, 1,000 people have arrived in Britain, half of whom are children. 

Cllr Bettison added: "Given the pressures in Bracknell Forest, we believe we can provide refuge for only a small number of refugees. However, we will work with our partner local authorities and the voluntary sector to use the funding that is available to ensure that what we can offer will enable any refugees that do come to Bracknell Forest to be well supported and able to settle as soon as possible after they arrive."

It's believed nine million Syrian citizens have fled their homes since fighting in the country began in March 2011.

Only 150,000 of those fleeing have claimed asylum in the European Union, the majority remain displaced within Syria or have fled to neighbouring countries according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.