A FURTHER two families from war-torn Syria have arrived in the Borders.

Last November Scottish Borders Council agreed to rehome 10 families from the ravaged Arab Republic.

In February two families successfully settled in Galashiels.

The 11 adults and children have been warmly welcomed by the local community.

And last week a further eight Syrians arrived in Tweedbank and Galashiels.

A spokesman for the local authority said: “The council agreed at a meeting on November 12 last year to commit to the resettlement of 10 Syrian refugee families in the Scottish Borders over four years as part of the Home Office’s resettlement scheme.

“Two Syrian refugee families successfully resettled into the Galashiels area in February with help from the council and partners including the voluntary sector.

“Following discussions with the Home Office, another two families arrived in the Galashiels area this week and are settling in well."

Civil war erupted in Syria following the 2011 Arab Spring protests.

President Bashar al-Assad's government has violently repressed protests groups calling for his removal.

And international forces including America and Russia have joined the conflict in an attempt to wipe out jihadist groups such as ISIL.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, a total of 4.8 million Syrians have fled to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq, and a further 6.6 million people are internally displaced within the country.

Local church and charitable organisations in the Borders have yet again made appeals for shoes, clothing, toiletries and books to make the families' arrival all the more comfortable.

The council spokesman added: "The organisations, local community and individuals involved in welcoming the refugee families so far are thanked for their support.

“Other locations in the Scottish Borders will be considered for future resettled families as the scheme progresses.”