CEREDIGION has been praised for “blazing a trail” for councils taking in Syrian refugees after “disappointing” figures show that just five local authorities in Wales have done so.

Home Office figures show Wales resettled 78 Syrian refugees between October 2015 and March.

Charities said the figures were “disappointing” and Wales “should step up to the plate”, while the Welsh Local Government Association said more councils were at the ready.

Carys Mair Thomas, head of Oxfam Cymru, said: “What is stopping all local authorities from welcoming these families?

“Ceredigion has become a trailblazing Welsh council despite never previously welcoming refugees”.

Neath Port Talbot has welcomed the most so far, 27, followed by Swansea with 24. Torfaen and Ceredigion took in 10 each; while all Welsh councils have committed to take part in the Home Office-funded scheme, which will resettle 20,000 displaced Syrians living in refugee camps in the UK by 2020.

In March, the Cambrian News revealed Ceredigion had committed to welcoming a further 40 Syrian refugees before 2020 after the first 10 arrived before Christmas.

But campaigners launched a petition urging the council to go further and take in “at least 50 per year”.

The petition has been signed by over 300 people.

See this week’s Cambrian News Aberystwyth edition