GWYNEDD Council is trying to find empty properties within the private sector to house refugees who will be arriving in the county over the next four years.

The first intake of refugees, who have fled from war-torn Syria, are expected to be provided with accommodation in the north of Gwynedd.

Gwynedd is expected to welcome around 10 refugees a year from Syria over the next four years.

However, it is still not known when the first intake of refugees will arrive.

In September 2015, Gwynedd Council’s leader Dyfed Edwards and Dwyfor Meirionnydd’s MP Liz Saville Roberts said the county was ready to welcome those who have been displaced and fled war zones across the globe.

A council spokesperson said: “Gwynedd Council has been part of national discussions across Wales regarding the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme, and the council’s Cabinet has agreed that Gwynedd will be ready to welcome refugees from Syria.

“The council is working in partnership with other relevant agencies so that we can take advantage of the expertise and resources available to us from relevant bodies within the county, with a county-wide partnership established that includes relevant agencies from both the public and voluntary sectors."

See the full story in this week’s Arfon/Dwyfor and Meirionnydd editions of the Cambrian News