PLANS to accept more than 40 refugee children from camps near war-torn Syria have been approved following generous support from a local charity.

Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet unanimously agreed to join a Government scheme to relocate unaccompanied child asylum seekers from areas such as Kent.

Vanessa Porter, from Hooky Refugee Action, offered the council independent foster carers, training for current foster carers and the possibility of language classes for the children.

The Hook Norton mother-of-two, who has set up a network of volunteers, was delighted with the council's resolution.

She said: "It's so encouraging to see Oxfordshire leading the way on this.

"We want to help as much as possible and for foster carers taking on these children there will be a whole different set of challenges.

"They will be dealing with a cultural change as well as the effects of the trauma they may have experienced.

She added: "It's important we look after them – it could be us needing that sort of support and I'm please the council has decided to help."

The county council currently looks after just over 50 unaccompanied child asylum seekers – the fourth-highest figure in the South East – but the decision means about 44 more will accepted at a rate of two per month.

Board member for children, education and families Melinda Tilley said: "I want to thank Hooky Refugee Action for their generous help.

"It's as if Mrs Porter came down from heaven on a rainbow and we will gladly accept the charity's offer of help.

She added: "We will be looking to implement this as soon as possible."

The report to senior councillors warned the scheme would cost £1m a year, despite extra funding from Whitehall, which it has not yet found funding for.