An Epsom woman has urged the council to "stand up and do its part" in helping refugees displaced by the ongoing conflict in Syria.

Abbey Bloom has called on Epsom and Ewell borough council to home at least 50 refugee families.

She has started a petition on grassroots petition site 38degrees.org for residents to show their support for the initiative which as already attracted 136 signatures.

Ms Bloom was moved to urge council action after seeing the image of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi lying dead on a Turkish beach.

Chronic housing shortage means it will be difficult to help refugees, says council

Last week David Cameron pledged to take in a maximum of 20,000 refugees over the next five years, but Ms Bloom is among those who thinks this is insufficient.

"Our Prime Minister said ‘we won't take any more refugees’. He thinks that most of us don't care," she said.

"But 38 Degrees members do care. We don't want Britain to be the kind of country that turns its back as people who drown in their desperation to flee places like Syria.

"So let's stand up for Britain's long tradition of helping refugees fleeing war.

"Let's show the Prime Minister that we, the people of the UK, are proud to do our part and provide refuge to people in their hour of need."

But the council said a shortage of social housing and a backlog of unmet affordable housing demand would mean taking in their fair share would be "challenging".

It has currently more than 2,500 applicants on the council’s Housing Needs Register.

But only an estimated 120 new properties are becoming available each year, meaning an additional 470 affordable homes are needed in the borough each year to meet the backlog of unmet affordable housing demand.

A statement posted on the council's website last week said it was in discussion with neighbouring councils as well as Surrey County Council about how they might best help with the crisis.

A spokesman said: "The borough of Epsom and Ewell would be in a challenging position to accommodate refugees as there is a chronic housing shortage in the borough and we are currently facing difficulties releasing homes for those within the borough who find themselves homeless.

"Nevertheless, the council is ready to play its part in any nationally agreed and co-ordinated approach to refugees, and is awaiting the Government’s advice and instructions.

"We are aware that there are residents within the borough who are prepared to offer rooms in their homes for possible refugees. "With councils across the country receiving such requests, offers of help need to be co-ordinated.

"Once we have more information from the government and the LGA, we should be able to advise people who they need to contact to offer their support."

Sign the petition here.

What do you think? Email letters@epsomguardian.co.uk.