WORCESTERSHIRE is poised to "do its bit for humanity" by taking in desperate Syrian refugees - after council chiefs responded to a public outcry to help.

After intense pressure from campaigners, Worcestershire County Council has agreed to intervene in the world's worst humanitarian crisis since the Second World War by drawing up a formal application to the Government.

The move comes just four months after bosses rejected pleas to get involved due to fears over the costs - before the sickening image of a dead toddler washed up on a Turkish beach shocked the world.

During a key debate today all the county's political parties united to back a motion which states the council "recognises the need for urgent action and is determined to play its part".

Although it is not yet putting a firm number on the number of Syrians that are now set to be housed in the county, the Conservative leadership will work towards "an equitable and realistic number" compared to other areas of the UK willing to help.

During passionate debate, in front a packed public gallery of campaigners, councillors said they had "a moral duty" to assist - and one even suggested he was prepared to leave Worcestershire altogether rather than still live somewhere not willing to help.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Tom Wells, who drafted the motion, said: "It's the most serious humanitarian crisis we've faced since World War Two.

"I know it's a long battle, but we need to accept our small part in helping these people."

Labour Councillor Joe Baker called it "a disgrace" that the leadership rejected a plea to help in June, adding: "I've handed out food at one of these refugee camps, it was heartbreaking to see them fighting each other over an egg and two potatoes.

"This is not a political agenda, it's a moral, humane one - when did we lose our humanity when we refused this as a council."

Liberal Democrat Fran Oborski said: "We have to take action, how can we possibly call ourselves world class Worcestershire if we don't open our county to people in need."

Labour group leader Councillor Peter McDonald said he believed all the political parties felt the same about the need to help, telling the chamber that the motion “expresses the feelings” they all had.

Labour's Paul Denham said he would "not want to live in a part of the country which shows such a lack of humanity when other areas are helping", urging the motion to be backed.

“The reason Germany is taking in so many refugees is because they know, over the long term how it improves their economy enormously,” he said.

“These people don’t want to come here to scrounge benefits, they want to escape because of what’s happening, whole cities are being demolished.

“We simply can’t reject these poor, desperate people.”

Conservative Councillor Adrian Hardman, the leader, told them the authority was prepared to “support the Government’s position on this”, but said ministers “must recognise that we’re entering into a long-term commitment” and needed funding clarity.

But he also told councillors the leadership accepted the motion, saying it “will be committed” to applying to house refugees.

"We have always said we're prepared to put our ‘shoulder to the wheel’ if we've been called upon, and we've been called upon,” he added.

At the start of the debate Malvern resident Sue Wolfendale, from the town's Amnesty International branch, begged them to help, calling it a "tragic situation" in Syria.

"I don't have to tell you how poor their lives continue to be," she said.

The motion, which can be seen on the second page of a PDF HERE, was backed unanimously.

To see just some of our detailed coverage of Worcestershire County Council's Syria debate in recent weeks, click HERE, HERE and HERE.

For the county reaction to the Government's pledge to resettle 20,000 Syrians, follow THIS link.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

SINCE David Cameron announced that the Government would expand its scheme to relocate vulnerable Syrians a minister has been appointed, Richard Harrington MP, to work with councils on drawing up the details.

The PM stated earlier this month that the UK would resettle an additional 20,000 Syrians by 2020, all from camps bordering the stricken country, and pump an extra £100 million of aid in, taking Britain’s contribution to £1 billion.

Mr Harrington, who represents Watford, will report directly to Home Secretary Theresa May, and is meeting with representatives from the Local Government Association (LGA) today for talks on getting a new, beefed-up scheme in place as soon as possible.

Back in June, the county council opted out of the old Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme because the Home Office only guaranteed funding for one year, leading to fears Worcestershire taxpayers would then have to meet the future costs, which the authority estimated to be £150,000 a year if 12 Syrian families came in.

But that figure was widely considered guesswork, and the new minister’s brief is to work up something councils buy into in order to meet the Prime Minister’s promise of accepting 20,000 refugees nationwide.

Today’s vote was effectively Worcestershire saying it intends to be a part of the new scheme and make a formal application, but the timescales will only be set down once the funding position is ascertained.

The motion backed today does instruct the council to make that application “as soon as it is practicable to do so”.

All seven council leaders across Worcestershire are meeting this Monday to discuss the plan further – as the district authorities are responsible for housing.