BANNERS declaring 'refugees welcome' are to be displayed outside Methodist Churches across the York area.

A church property will also be made available for use by a refugee family, says the York Methodist Circuit, which comprises 36 churches and more than 1,700 members.

It said it was offering its support and practical help to City of York Council as it sought to co-ordinate plans for welcoming refugees and was also calling on the Government to increase the number of refugees it was willing to welcome into Britain.