WORCESTER will welcome its first Afghan refugees next month - amid calls the county must do more to help people fleeing Afghanistan. 

Worcestershire County Council had previously agreed to rehome the refugees - former interpreters who helped the British Army - but the Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge has called on the city and the wider county to do all it can to take in more people who are fleeing following the Taliban takeover.

He said: "What is happening in Afghanistan is an enormous tragedy. 

"My heart and prayers go out to those whose loved ones lost their lives serving in our military there, and those who are still affected by wounds sustained there. 

"I also pray for the Afghani people, particularly those who are at risk because of the support they gave to us and our allies in the attempt to build a new Afghanistan. 

"We must salvage what we can from this wreckage by offering them asylum. 

"It seems to me that it is an absolute moral imperative and the very least we can do for them; it is not about politics but about humanity. 

"The churches stand ready to help."

As part of its commitment to the Afghan Resettlement Programme, Worcestershire will welcome in its first Afghan refugees next month.

We previously reported how Worcestershire County Council had agreed to help re-home the Afghan citizens who helped the British Army in its operations, with many now fearing persecution or death at the hands of the militant group, which all-but seized power this week.

A county council spokesman confirmed that despite the escalation of the crisis, the council still expects the first arrivals to come next month.

When we previously reported on the resettlement back in June, a council spokesman said: "Worcestershire County Council is doing all it can to help ensure those who resettle do not walk alone when they arrive in the county.

"We cannot walk alone is also the theme for this year’s campaign and encourages everyone to reach out and connect with someone new.

"This is something those who have resettled here in Worcestershire have done with great success.

"Since 2016, Worcestershire have welcomed over 100 Syrian Refugees across all of the districts within the county, and the council will continue to welcome further families over the coming months."

The news comes as thousands attempt to flee the capital, Kabul, after the total collapse of the Afghan government and military.

On Monday, heartbreaking images of Afghan people attempting to cling on to escaping US Military aircraft went viral on Twitter.

The Prime Minister will unveil a “bespoke” resettlement scheme for vulnerable Afghans as efforts to get British nationals and other support staff back to the UK continue.

No 10 said Boris Johnson would give more information about the refugee scheme in the coming days, with the policy anticipated to be focused on helping women and girls.

In Afghanistan, British armed forces numbers are to be bolstered to 900, with a further 200 announced by the Ministry of Defence on Monday.

They will be involved in the push to bring UK nationals home and secure the safety of selected Afghans, an effort that has intensified since the Taliban took Kabul following a lightning offensive which shocked the West.