INVERCLYDE could be set to take in extra Afghan refugees escaping the country following the Taliban’s takeover.

The Islamist group has swept back to power 20 years after being ousted by the US-led intervention in 2001.

Tens of thousands of desperate Afghans have since tried to flee their homes as chaos takes hold.

The UK is set to welcome some 20,000 refugees over the coming years as part of a new resettlement scheme modelled on the seven-year Syrian programme drawn up by former prime minister David Cameron.

Municipal Buildings bosses confirmed they are looking at ways to help vulnerable Afghans following the latest events, having already welcomed dozens of families find sanctuary in the district in recent years.

A council spokesperson said: “We’ve welcomed several families over the years who have made Inverclyde their home thanks to our successful resettlement scheme.

“We’re currently supporting 28 Syrian families, five Afghan families and four Sudanese families.

“We had committed to supporting at least 12 more Afghan families through the existing UK Afghan resettlement scheme prior to the recent events that have taken place in the country.

“We’re currently monitoring the ongoing situation and discussing what additional support we could provide while we await further information from the government.”

It was revealed last year that some 18 Afghan 'new Scot' families had left Inverclyde, citing reasons such as the lack of a mosque and little access to affordable halal meat.

But the council stressed they did not leave the area for any reasons associated with their experience of living in Inverclyde.

One Afghan family recently spoke to the Tele praising the warm welcome they have had since settling in the area.

The UK Government has promised that up to 5,000 Afghans can find refuge in the country this year, with up to 20,000 in the longer term.

The new scheme is aimed at women, children and others who have been forced to flee or face threats of persecution from the Taliban.

This is in addition to the 5,000 Afghans already expected to move to the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy.

Under that policy, launched in April,  any local allies – such as individuals who acted as interpreters for western forces – assessed to be under serious threat to life are offered priority relocation to the UK regardless of their employment status, rank or role, or length of time served.