DAVID Cameron has announced that up to 20,000 Syrian refugees will be brought to the UK by 2020 - as debate raged around the role Worcestershire should play.

The Prime Minister has today unveiled his figure for how many desperate migrants he expects councils to house, saying the nation has a "moral responsibility" to act.

But the figure has already led to criticism in Worcestershire this afternoon, with some campaigners saying it does not go far enough.

Among the other developments since the weekend:

- The Malvern branch of Amnesty International, which has led the campaigning for the county to house 12 Syrian families, says it has been "overwhelmed" by the response from Worcestershire people

- Councillor Adrian Hardman, the leader of Worcestershire County Council, has received an open letter from the opposition Labour group urging him get behind it

- The Mayor of Malvern, Councillor Julian Roskams, said Mr Cameron's offer "does not go anywhere near" other European nations and has called for it to rise

- 270 people have signed a petition by Councillor Tom Wells, a Liberal Democrat, suggesting the county takes in some families

Mr Cameron's figure of 20,000 was met by some gasps in the House of Commons this afternoon, with many MPs concerned it is too small and spread over five years.

But it is still double the previous predictions of 10,000 and compares to 24,000 in France.

The premier told MPs Britain has given £1 billion to the crisis, including an extra £100 million which was confirmed last week, saying "no other country in Europe has come close" to matching the commitment on direct aid.

Worcester MP Robin Walker said today: "I welcome the steps the Prime Minister has already taken to increase the number of asylum seekers the UK will receive, and to allow thousands more to come to the UK in addition to the 5,000 asylum seekers from Syria who have already been granted asylum.

"We must recognise this is a major international crisis, and it will require an international solution.

“The UK is already doing more than any other European country to help with the humanitarian situation, and I think the Archbishop of Canterbury was right to point this out in his comments about the situation.

“It is important to remember that whilst we must do everything we can to improve the humanitarian situation, save lives and safeguard the innocent civilians involved, it would be wrong to offer uncontrolled asylum, as Germany has.

“In my opinion, this is not the solution and tragically, it may be that this offer has encouraged more people to take the kind of risks that led to tragic deaths that are documented in the upsetting photos we have all seen.

"We need to make sure we support those people who need it most, but must avoid creating pull factors that would encourage more people to take appalling risks to reach the EU.”

Chancellor George Osborne said yesterday that the foreign aid budget would be raided to give councils extra funds to resettle the refugees, with council leaders in Worcestershire now waiting on extra details.

After Mr Cameron's announcement, Councillor Roskams said: "It's a step forward, but it doesn't go anywhere near what other European nations are doing like Germany.

"But I'm delighted it's shot up the political agenda, it's extraordinary.

"What we now need is help for local authorities to play their part."

Councillor Peter McDonald, who leads the Labour group at County Hall, has sent Councillor Hardman a letter asking him to "use his influence to ensure we honour our obligations and accept our fair share of refugees".

Councillor McDonald told your Worcester News: “I have asked Adrian Hardman to use his influence to ensure we honour our obligations and accept our fair share of Syrian Refuges following the lead of the Prime Minister.

“Not to do so would be inhumane and turning a blind eye to the terrible suffering of those families fleeing conflict.

“In the recent past the leader recommended the council did not take any Syrian refugees in, but things have worsened greatly recently, and I am sure the leader will approve Syrian refugees coming to Worcestershire.”

Ruth Forecast, from the Malvern branch of Amnesty International, said: " 'We have been deeply moved by the number of people who have approached us in Malvern to sign our petition.

“We have also been overwhelmed by the continual messages of support and offers of help from people of all ages and backgrounds in the Malvern area.

“We are now a strong movement of people who are horrified by the daily images and reports of terrible human suffering and desperately want to help in any way possible.”

Council leaders in Worcestershire will discuss it on Monday, September 21 in private talks – but the issue will also be raised at the next full council meeting at County Hall on Thursday, September 17.

The county council rejected a plea to help organise a project to house 12 Syrian families in June due to concerns over the costs, with funding only guaranteed from the Home Office for one initial year.

But it remains to be seen whether the fresh offer from the Government will go any further, with Mr Osborne again referring to funds being made available for one year yesterday.

* To see our report from last Friday on Worcestershire's initial response to the Syrian crisis, go HERE.

* To sign the petition by Councillor Tom Wells follow THIS link.